Law Week: The Rights and Wrongs of Forensics

Sisters in Crime Australia is again proud to join forces with the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Victoria University, to present its 16th Law Week event.

An expert panel – Soren Blau, Tracie Gould, and Liz Porter – will debate with chair Coroner Audrey Jamieson as to what makes forensic science work and what can sometimes make it go wrong.

The practice of forensic science in Australia was radically reformed after the well-publicised failures of the Azaria Chamberlain case. Now forensic science nearly always gets it right thanks to high training standards, the continuing evolvement of evidence-based specialties such as forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, and DNA, and improved collaboration between the scientists and police.

But forensic investigations can sometimes be flawed. Evidence from crime scenes can be contaminated. There can be too much reliance on one discipline. Forensic experts can go ‘too far’. The approaches and standards between the different states and territories can also vary.

Soren Blau is the Manager of Identification Services and Senior Forensic Anthropologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM).

Tracie Gould is the Group Manager of the Fingerprint Sciences Group at the Victoria Police Forensic Service Department, leading the delivery of integrated, connected, and responsive fingerprint and facial identification services for the state of Victoria, Australia.

Liz Porter is a former award-winning legal affairs journalist who is now known for her prize-winning books about ‘the real CSI’ —the way forensic science is used to solve crime.

Coroner Audrey Jamieson was appointed a magistrate in 2004 and has worked as a full-time Coroner since 2005.

$20 non-members; $15 concession; $12 Sisters in Crime and Writers Victoria members. Tickets not sold prior to the event will be available at the door for $22/$18/$15. Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome. Please book by 2pm Friday 20 May.

Host or Publisher Sisters in Crime Australia