1. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE April Smith Senior Scientist, Molecular Biology Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine www.vifm.org/dna.html

2. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Coronial Services Centre Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine – Molecular Biology –Mortuary / Pathology (incl. Radiology) –Toxicology (Pharmacology) –Histology –Microbiology State Coroner’s Office Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (Anatomy)

3. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Molecular Biology Laboratory Our Use of DNA Testing Identification of human remains Disputed paternity testing Criminal cases (interstate/overseas) Civil cases (twins testing, immigration, blood on various items)

4. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Subjects studied at University 1st Year - Biology - Chemistry - Psychology - Geography 2nd Year - Genetics - Psychology - Physiology 3rd Year - Genetics - Psychology - Honours - Genetics

5. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Students Honours PhD’s and other postgrad positions

6. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Forensic Jobs One criminal lab in each State of Australia –Victorian criminal lab (Macleod) has approx. 30-40 DNA (Biology) staff Some States have separate coronial laboratories –Victorian Coronial lab has 3.5 DNA staff Private labs (various disciplines)

7. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE My Job Day to Day activities; –Casework (incl. statistics) –Contact with a range of different clients Liaise with solicitors, coroners, police, GP’s, pathology centres and the general public Explain scientific concepts in laymen’s terms (esp. for court appearances) –Limited research and development

8. VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE Questions???