Bryan Found Award

 

The award is offered in memory of Dr Bryan Found, the inaugural Victoria Police Chief Forensic Scientist. Bryan was a caseworker, researcher and leader at Victoria Police Forensic Services Department and La Trobe University, with a career spanning 29 years in a wide variety of roles. Dr Found was internationally recognised as a world leading researcher in forensic signature and handwriting examinations and a leading proponent of research in the cognitive sciences and the interpretation of pattern evidence. His passion for education and improving the performance of forensic examiners was known worldwide, through his many publications, workshops, and seminars.

Bryan was a long-standing member of the Victorian Branch of ANZFSS, a former President, and the Chair of the Organising Committee for the 2008 Melbourne Symposium – arguably the first of the new breed of successful symposia. He was also responsible for the infamous cask wine, now an ANZFSS tradition. He was accepted as a Life Member of the Society just weeks before his death in 2016.

But more than that, he was a champion of Forensic Science, keenly enthusiastic for improvement and development of the science. He was much respected, both locally, nationally, and internationally. His impact in bringing cognitive issues to the fore will be felt for years to come, and his influence on document examination globally is phenomenal.

Bryan died suddenly, at home, on October 23rd, 2016, leaving an enormous legacy to Forensic Science.

In memory of Bryan’s contribution to the ANZFSS over many years and his dedication as a Forensic Officer, the family has established a Memorial Scholarship in his name to enable the recipient to attend an ANZFSS Symposium.  The scholarship is awarded to a graduate/post-graduate student who meets the requirements below.  You may be required to attend an interview.

Requirements to apply:

  • The applicant is an enrolled fulltime student in a graduate or postgraduate course in field of study that reflects Bryan’s passions in forensic science – e.g. document examination, cognitive forensics, or pattern evidence interpretation
  • The successful applicant will be required to provide an article for the ANZFSS newsletter summarising their experiences at the Symposium.
  • The applicant may be required to make a presentation to the Symposium either on the benefits of the award or their work.

The Award will fund the successful applicant up to a total of $2500, including registration fee to the 27th Symposium of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, and additional assistance for travel and accommodation expenses.

If no suitable application is received the Award may not be presented or may be otherwise distributed, at the discretion of the family.

The closing date for applications is 23/02/2024 23:59 AEST.

All funds must be claimed/finalised within the same financial year as the conference.

Accessibility Disclaimer:

We are committed to ensuring that our forms are accessible to all users. If you encounter any accessibility issues and would like this application in another format or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us through the form.

A quick summary of the questions if you would like to prepare your application offline first:

  • Contact details
  • ANZFSS Involvement (Date Joined/Local Branch/Meeting attendance/Contributions to your local branch)
  • Other Funding information (if applicable)
  • Please provide below the reasons why you are applying for the scholarship, how you believe your studies meet the Award criteria, and what you think you would get out of going to the symposium and why you should be chosen.
  • Presentation information (if applicable)

Please direct any further questions to the Victoria Branch through the contact page.

We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. In the event that any changes are made, the revised terms and conditions shall be posted on this website immediately and will be communicated to applicants.

 

Thank you!