Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law Matters
Hear from a renowned Counsel, Dr. Ian Freckelton AO KC, and other leading experts on the key issues of Forensic Evidence. This unique program explores the importance of forensic evidence in criminal law matters. You’ll gain practical and key insights into what happens in the lab. Our program will equip you with the know-how and confidence to expertly handle technical questions in the courtroom, enhancing your advocacy skills and performance. WEB243V26Z
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair: Rose Khalilizadeh, Barrister, Public Defenders Chambers, Sydney
9.00am to 9.50am Developments in Novel Scientific Evidence and Emerging Ethical Issues
Presented by Dr. Ian Freckelton AO KC, Barrister, Professor of Law and Professorial Fellow in Psychiatry, University of Melbourne; Honorary Professor of Forensic Medicine, Monash University; Editor, Journal of Law and Medicine, Doyle’s Guide Leading Administrative and Public Law 2022, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019; Best Lawyers 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
9.50am to 10.35am Advanced Issues and Limitations with DNA Evidence
Forensic DNA testing is often held up as the ‘gold standard’ of forensic testing and is frequently presented without challenge at trial. Recent experience in NSW and elsewhere in Australia has highlighted number of important limitations and misconceptions about DNA evidence about which practitioners should be informed so that such evidence can be appropriately tested and evaluated. Join Jae Gerhard from Independent Forensic Services to cover the following:
- The types of testing which can be undertaken in relation to biological origin of material
- Limitations to testing of biological fluids
- Trace DNA and it's transfer and persistence
- Complex DNA profile interpretation, STRmix(TM) analysis, and limitations to the interpretation
- Laboratory accreditation
Presented by Jae Gerhard, Principal Scientist, Independent Forensic Services, Independent Forensic Services
10.35am to 10.50am Morning Tea
10.50am to 11.35am Unravelling the Truth: Forensic Evidence in in Sexual Assault Cases
- Sexual assault investigation workflow
- Time since intercourse and biofluid persistence
- Targeting male-specific DNA
- Unusual exhibits / Case studies
Presented by Virginia Friedman, Senior Forensic Biologist, Division of Analytical Laboratories NSW Health Pathology
11.35am to 12.20pm The Role of the Neuropsychologist
- What is neuropsychology?
- When and why to engage a neuropsychologist
- Expectations and considerations
- The importance of cognition in the legal process
Presented by Dr Amanda J White, Neuropsychological & Forensic Services
12.20pm to 1.15pm Cybercrime and Digital Evidence
In a rapidly evolving digital age, technology is intertwined with every facet of our lives, even within crime scenes. Have you ever wondered how the devices we use daily can become crucial witnesses in criminal matters?
- Demystify the digital world hidden in crime scenes. From the sophisticated systems to the obscure tech lurking in the shadows
- Unravel the mysteries of how it all works, what data it quietly collects, and where it hides
Presented by Dr. Graeme Edwards CFE, Director, CYBER I Pty Ltd, Former Detective, Queensland Police Service, Financial and Cyber Crime Group
Presenters
Rose Khalilizadeh
Rose Khalilizadeh is a Public Defender. She was called to the Bar in 2017 and practiced in criminal law at Forbes Chambers before being appointed a Public Defender in 2022. Rose appears in complex criminal matters such as jury trials, sentences, high risk offender applications and appeals. Rose is a member of the NSW Bar Council and has been on the Bar Association's Criminal Law, Legal Aid and Professional Conduct Committees. Prior to coming to the Bar, Rose practiced as a criminal defence lawyer at Legal Aid NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, and in private practice. Prior to that, Rose also worked at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and as a tipstaff to a Judge of the Court of Appeal of NSW. Rose has taught with the University of Sydney's Faculty of Law, the University of New South Wales Faculty of Law and Justice, and the Australian Advocacy Institute. She is the current Chair of Diverse Women in Law,
Dr. IIan Freckelton AO KC
Dr Freckelton's PhD, entitled "Expert Evidence: Accountability and Evaluation", was conferred by Griffith University in 1998. Dr Freckelton's LLD, entitled “Health Law, Scholarliness and Regulation”, was conferred by the University of Melbourne in 2017. BAR PRACTICE - 1988- : Full-time mixed trial, appellate and advisory practice. Dr Freckelton is an experienced silk who practises in a broad range of areas throughout Australia and internationally in cases which require a high level of strategic skills and close analysis of technical material in the form of expert evidence. He has particular skills in addressing the broader repercussions of legal disputation so that clients can achieve outcomes which address the issues that have taken them before courts and tribunals. He is an assertive and analytical advocate, equally comfortable with oral advocacy and written submissions, whether these be at first instance or on appeal. Victorian Bar Committee memberships include Victorian Bar Council; Continuing Professional Development - Sub Committee; Ethics Committee; Supreme Court - The Judicial Review and Appeals Users' Group; Supreme Court Library Committee.
Jae Gerhard
Jae Gerhard graduated with a Bachelor of Science (in Biomedical Science)(Honours) from the University of Technology, Sydney. She has been employed in the Forensic Sciences since 2002 and was previously employed as a Reporting Officer with the Biological Criminalistics Team with the Australian Federal Police specialising in the examination of items for biological evidence, DNA analysis and interpretation. Jae joined New South Wales Police Force as a Reporting Officer in the Forensic Biology Section of the Forensic Science Services Branch when the Section was formed in 2007 and was involved in the provision of laboratory and field based services for complex major crime., Jae has been accepted as an expert in the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales and has reported cases from minor volume crime through to serious and complex cases such as sexual assault and murder. She is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS), The Sydney Forensic Medicine and Science Network, the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA) and the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG). She is also a regular presenter at the biennial ANZFSS Symposiums and is co-author of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Expert Evidence published in 2011., Independent Forensic Services was founded in 2012 and provides an independent consultancy service for criminal matters in the area of forensic biology, DNA analysis and bloodstain pattern analysis.
Clint Cochrane
Clint Cochrane has over 20 years experience as a Forensic Biologist and is currently the Laboratory Manager for the Forensic Biology/DNA service at the NSW Health Pathology Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS). As the NSW representative on the national Biologist Specialist Advisory Group, Clint has input into the ongoing evolution of various probabilistic genotyping software systems, including STRmixTM and emerging companion software including FaSTRTM and DBLRTM. As laboratory manager Clint has oversight responsibility for the testing, validation and incorporation of new technology and methods into operational use. Clint has extensive experience in implementing advanced technologies to improve the Forensic Biology/DNA service. Clint is involved in current and future planning to deliver DNA services that support intelligence led Policing, especially in timely provision of DNA results.
Dr Amanda White
Dr White is an endorsed Forensic Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist with extensive training and experience in the preparation of forensic psychological and neuropsychological reports. She is skilled in the comprehensive assessment of cognitive, behavioural and psychological impairments associated with complex histories, multiple comorbidities and a range of conditions, including acquired brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders, psychological and psychiatric illness, neurological conditions, intellectual disability, substance use disorders and forensic matters including risk assessment. She has extensive experience conducting assessments and reports surrounding decision making and capacity evaluations. She has appeared as an expert witness in the NSW courts and various tribunals.
Dr Graeme Edwards CFE
D. GRAEME EDWARDS, CFE, has been a cybercrime investigator with the Queensland Police Service Financial and Cyber Crime Group and has worked on numerous successful criminal investigations involving local and international jurisdictions. He facilitated the creation of the Victims of Financial Crimes Support Group to support those suffering losses associated with financial or cybercrime. Graeme is an experienced conference speaker and cybercrime investigation educator, provider of training in a corporate environment and conducts post investigation analysis. He has a Doctorate of Information Technology focusing on computer security, computer networking, and cloud computing investigation strategies.