Senior officer Russell Cook screens for blood on dark clothing using an infra-red camera. Picture: Campbell Brodie Source: adelaidenow
THEY are the unsung heroes of the justice system and, despite the loss of their leader, the state’s forensic scientists remain on the cutting edge of criminal investigation.
Figures released by the Attorney-General’s Department show that Forensic Science SA is on track to meet its targets for 2012-13 and can provide evidence for drug and sexual assault cases in less than a month.
The group’s continued success, after the tragic death of Professor Ross Vining, stands in sharp contrast with its interstate counterparts.
In Queensland, huge workloads and staff shortages have led to concerns that trials will be aborted and community safety compromised.
Figures released to The Advertiser show Forensic Science SA will have analysed 12,876 DNA cases, 3300 drug-driving matters and 211 sexual assault cases by June 2013.
Professor Ross Vining was the head of Forensic Science SA when he died. Picture: Matt Turner
More than three-quarters of that data will have been provided in less than a month.
Forensic scientists will also have conducted 1874 coronial investigations, with 82 per cent of results available to investigators within six months.
Staff numbers, meanwhile, were cut to 126 – 11 less than in 2008. Professor Vining died in a flying boat crash in Queensland in November. He was a passionate crusader for the role of forensic pathology in criminal work and was overseeing the pain-staking re-examination of 300 cold-case DNA samples from crime scenes.
Attorney-General John Rau said that the group’s efforts in the face of loss should be applauded.
Dr Ellie Simpson examins skeletal remains at Forensic Science SA. Picture: Campbell Brodie
“It has been an extremely difficult time with the recent loss of Professor Vining, who was a great leader of the team as well as a tremendous contributor to our state,” he said.
“The critical work of Forensic Science SA is, in most part, not publicly visible, but it is absolutely integral to the functioning of our state’s justice system.
“Theirs is some of the most challenging and complex work in the public service and we are lucky to have such a skilled team of professionals currently employed within the agency.”
Forensics success after loss of leader http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/12/25/1226543/344972-dr-ellie-simpson.jpg
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