New forensic science facility

New facility gives students real-life CSI experience

Analysing blood spatter, finding single strands of hair and locating hidden weapons, are just some of the tasks our students will be undertaking in the new forensic science facility on the Hawkesbury campus.

Crime scenes that will be created in the new Joint Facility for Forensic Science Research and Training include a bedroom or living area of a residential home, an illegal drug lab, a garage with motor vehicles and an outdoor area where evidence (including pig carcasses) is buried.

The million-dollar joint facility, between the NSW Police Force and UWS, is Australia’s first purpose built crime scene facility.

UWS students and scientists and NSW Police will use the facility for training and researching new forensic techniques.

Mr Glenn Porter, Senior Lecturer of Forensic Science in the School of Natural Sciences says that it is vital that students experience realistic scenarios.

‘In real life, a crime scene is extraordinarily complex and can be literally anywhere a crime has been committed. Students need to know what to look for and what to bag for further analysis. This new facility will help students become adept at assessing a crime scene and efficiently identifying the key pieces of evidence,’ says Glenn.

UWS researchers will also benefit from the facility as there will be greater collaboration with the NSW Police Forensic Services Group on forensic science research. Real world challenges facing the police will also inform UWS’s directions in research.

UWS is already a leading centre for forensic science research with current projects including:

• detecting bloodstains underneath paint using reflected infrared photography
• assessing the reliability of CCTV images as forensic evidence
• analysing the health risks associated with clandestine drug laboratories
• the detection of tattoos removed by laser 
• the recovery of finger marks from bullet casings.

The facility was opened in July by NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC, the NSW Police Commissioner Mr Andrew Scipione APM and UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid AM.