Law enforcement operates in an environment characterised by broader and more sophisticated organised crime syndicates, emerging technology-enabled transnational crimes and national security and terrorist-related threats. Police must also counteract drug and alcohol related offending, cybercrime, identity fraud and antisocial behaviour. How is forensic science best employed in these situations, what traditional approaches remain relevant and what new approaches and technologies will emerge? In 2015, the Australian Federal Police (“AFP”) will open a new purpose built forensic facility on Canberra to support the world’s best practice forensic science and practical intelligence.
In this presentation, Dr Walsh will share his reflections on forensic science, its place in the criminal justice landscape and his vision for the future, in the context of major operations and investigations in which he has had active commands. These include the Victorian Bushfires (2009), the Kokoda Air Crash (2009), the Congo Air Crash (2010), the Christmas Island Refugee Boat Tragedies (2010 and 2012), the Christchurch Earthquake (2011), the Laos Air Crash (2013), Typhoon Yolande (2013) and the Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 (2014).
Dr Simon J Walsh has been the AFP’s Chief Scientist since 2013 and National DVI Commander since 2008. He is a graduate in science and forensic science of the University of Queensland and the University of Technology Sydney. He has a global reputation as an expert in forensic science, leading and influencing AFP policy advice and legislative reform. He has published widely on forensic science related subjects. He has recently returned from being involved in Australian and International responses to the Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 disaster in Ukraine and the Netherlands.
Simon J. Walsh BSc (Hons), PhD
Coordinator Biometrics, Australian Federal Police
Dr Walsh is the Coordinator of Biometrics, Forensic and Data Centres, AFP, having joined in November 2006. In this role Dr Walsh oversees three analytical forensic teams; Biological Criminalistics, Fingerprint Sciences, and Facial Identification. These teams support Forensic Operations across the entire range of AFP’s domestic and international policing responsibilities. Dr Walsh also holds the role of AFP National DVI Commander and has active command or case manager roles in major operations.
Prior to joining the AFP Dr Walsh held a variety of professional and academic positions in forensic science after beginning his career in 1994. As a practitioner he has reported over 2,000 criminal cases and presented expert testimony in court on over 55 occasions including as a specialist consultant throughout Australia. Dr Walsh has been involved in the development of National DNA Database operations and is currently the Chair of the INTERPOL DNA Monitoring Expert Group.
Dr Walsh maintains a high research output including a textbook on DNA Evidence Interpretation, and over 60 book chapters and refereed articles. He received his PhD for a thesis focusing on the impact of forensic DNA profiling on the criminal justice system and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of the University of Canberra.