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New Forensic Equipment To Assist Police Investigations

The operational capability of Tasmania Police has been further enhanced with the launch of upgraded forensic equipment at Forensic Science Service Tasmania laboratories at New Town.

Launched by the Minister for Police and Emergency Management, David Llewellyn, the major upgrade is the result of a commitment by the State Government to ensure the replacement and updating of ageing forensic equipment.

“Together with several minor equipment replacements, the total upgrade represents an outlay by the State Labor Government of $585,000,” Mr Llewellyn said.

The DNA Genetic Analyser, together with the upgraded ABI 3100 Genetic Analyser, are the two instruments used by 11 DNA profiling forensic scientists to analyse the DNA extracted from crime scene items and person samples.

“Benefits of this upgrade include greater capacity, reliability, ease of use and less potential for error,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“The production of DNA profiles, and subsequent information obtained from local and national forensic DNA databases, provides valuable and timely information to assist police investigations, including the elimination of suspects, and also assists in the prosecution of offenders.”

The Gas-Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer will enhance toxicology analyses through greater sensitivity (lower detection limits), greater reliability, better instrument control and result in increased and more accurate results.

“This purchase will assist in providing better coronial toxicology results to forensic pathologists who will use the information to assist them in determining cause of death,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“It will also assist in processing the significant increase in workload resulting from increased requests to determine drugs in drivers under the Road Safety (Alcohol & Drugs) Act.”

Other upgrades of forensic equipment include:

• Two Thermal Recyclers amplify (produce millions of copies) of DNA isolated from crime scene items and person samples. In effect they produce enough of the DNA of forensic interest to be analysed in the genetic analyser;
• The biohazard cabinets offer essential protection to staff undertaking various manipulations involving hazardous material;
• The surgical microscope will also have a camera accessory capable of providing additional evidential recording;
• The breath alcohol calibrator will enable forensic staff to undertake additional standard calibrations during certification of evidential breath analysing instruments. The purchase of this additional calibrator will enable staff to maintain a short turnaround time for the certification of instruments and ensure they are available for a timely return to operational service;
• Software upgrades will enhance the utility of the equipment upgraded and provide more reliable and accurate results;
• A freezer capable of storing forensic material at temperatures down to -80 deg will increase the storage capacity of DNA extracts and blood samples; and
• Upgrade of crime scene examination equipment.

“Since this Government came to office, crime and offences in Tasmania have fallen to a level where Tasmania is undeniably Australia’s safest State,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“Anything that serves to improve even further on that position, such as upgrading of forensic equipment, is welcomed.”

The Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Mr David Llewellyn,
inspects an exhibit through a microscope at FSST

(18 Sept 2007)