Forensic equipment used to accurately match evidence back to crime scenes is among the new technology commissioned at Forensic Science Service Tasmania (FSST).

FSST provides a comprehensive range of independent forensic biology and forensic chemistry services to clients including Tasmania Police, the Office of the DPP, defence lawyers and coroners.

An additional $323,000 provided by the State Government has funded the purchase of new and upgraded scientific equipment.

“Police rely on timely and accurate results from FSST scientists in identifying offenders and solving crime and the new equipment will increase the throughput and accuracy of results,” said Assistant Commissioner Phil Wilkinson.

“We have taken an innovative approach to the procurement of this equipment, resulting in a saving of more than $200,000.  The near-new Scanning Electron Microscope was purchased for less than half of its original price from a laboratory in the United Kingdom which was closing down,” said Mr Wilkinson.

“I congratulate the department for its resourceful methods in making efficiencies in the purchase of new equipment,” said the Minister for Police and Emergency Management, David O’Byrne.

“Forensic Science Service Tasmania provides a valuable service to Tasmania Police and the criminal justice system, and it’s important that we provide the funds for FSST
to keep pace with technological advances,” said Mr O’Byrne.

The equipment purchased includes:

• A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM):
  The SEM enables scientists to examine small particles such as glass and paint and determine whether they are the same as material recovered from a crime scene; for example, matching paint from a jemmy bar and from a window in a burglary.The Microscope was purchased from the United Kingdom after the closure of their Forensic Science Service.  This creative approach to purchasing resulted in savings of more than $200,000.
• Two Liquid Handling Robotic Workstations:
  The Workstations have further streamlined the DNA profiling process, increasing the number of samples processed and reducing the potential for contamination and human error.
• Glass Refractive Index Measurement Instrument
  This instrument very accurately measures the refractive index of glass.  It can be used to match minute glass fragments recovered from a weapon to glass broken in a burglary.

The new equipment adds to scientific instruments purchased with State Government funding in 2010-11, which are used to analyse poisons and drugs in blood samples, detect DNA and identify the chemical fingerprint of substances such as drugs, paint and fibres.

Examples of forensic science used in crime investigation:

• There was an armed hold-up of a business in New Town by two masked suspects in 2010.  Police recovered two hairs from the front counter, near where one of the offenders had been standing.  FSST identified these human hairs as being unusual, as they did not appear to be head hairs.  CCTV footage showed that one of the masked men had pulled a bag out of his trousers and placed it on the counter.  DNA profiles from the hairs matched the DNA profile of a serious offender on the Tasmanian DNA database. This evidence led to his arrest and conviction.
• Police charged a man in 2010 with motor vehicle theft, and his reference DNA sample was sent to FSST. His DNA profile was subsequently matched to a series of thirteen unsolved motor vehicle thefts that had taken place in 2010.
• A person was assaulted using a chain saw. A long tear was present in the right sleeve of the victim's jumper. The accused claimed that the chainsaw was not on at the time of the assault. Examination of the chainsaw revealed the presence of several tufts of fibres inside the safety casing. The fibre tufts matched those from the right sleeve of the victim's jumper, thereby refuting the claim that the chainsaw was off at the time of the assault.
• A violent home invasion by several males resulted in the serious assault of two victims. Entry was gained to the home by breaking a rear glass sliding door. One suspect was arrested shortly afterwards at the edge of the Derwent River, having disposed of most of their clothing in the water. DNA was able to link the clothing to both the suspect and the victims. A large amount of glass was recovered from the suspect's belongings, and this glass was matched to the rear glass sliding door and to a light bulb broken during the assault. This confirmed the presence of the accused at the scene at the time of the home invasion and assault.