Registration deadline
17 June 2007
Abstract submission and registration deadline for presenting authors
4 May 2007
Public Forum - DNA and Crime
What?
DNA and Crime at the Australian Museum
As part of the annual Genetics Society of Australasia conference, the Australian Musuem is hosting a panel discussion on the use of DNA to solve crimes. Believe it or not Australian Museum staff are frequently asked to assist with identifying animals that have been involved in crimes of varying description. We have several animal DNA experts on our panel as well as a human forensic expert. In a discussion led by ABCTV Catalyst’s Paul Willis they will be talking about various cases they have been involved in.
As part of the annual Genetics Society of Australasia conference, the Australian Musuem is hosting a panel discussion on the use of DNA to solve crimes. Believe it or not Australian Museum staff are frequently asked to assist with identifying animals that have been involved in crimes of varying description. We have several animal DNA experts on our panel as well as a human forensic expert. In a discussion led by ABCTV Catalyst’s Paul Willis they will be talking about various cases they have been involved in.
Who?
should attend...
Want to know more? Then you should attend! Any one who is interested in using DNA to solve crime is invited. The event is free to members of the public but numbers are strictly limited.
Want to know more? Then you should attend! Any one who is interested in using DNA to solve crime is invited. The event is free to members of the public but numbers are strictly limited.
When?
6pm for 6:30pm start, 27th June 2007
Halstrom Theatrette, The Australian Museum
45 mins panel discussion, followed by 15 mins questions.
Followed by drinks until 9pm.
Numbers are strictly limited to 140
45 mins panel discussion, followed by 15 mins questions.
Followed by drinks until 9pm.
Numbers are strictly limited to 140
Mediator
Dr Paul Willis
ABCTV Science Journalist
Panel Members
Dr Marylin Menotti-Raymond
Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute Frederick, Maryland
Dr. Menotti-Raymond is a staff scientist at the US National Cancer Institute-Frederick, MD. Her research has focused on the generation of genetic maps in the domestic cat in order to characterize genes associated with hereditary disease and related biological interest.
Dr. Raymond’s group has recently mapped and characterized a mutation causative of late onset retinal atrophy in the Abyssinian cat, a model of human retinitis pigmentosa, and identified the causative mutation in a unique gene (LIX1) for spinal muscular atrophy. They have mapped and characterized mutations associated with coat color (chocolate, cinnamon, Burmese, Siamese) and the dilution of coat color (dilute) in the cat.
Additionally, Dr. Raymond has been involved with application of genetic markers in the cat for forensic analysis, which led to the first introduction of an animal DNA fingerprint into court and the development of an STR genotyping system for genetic individualization of cat specimens.
Additionally, Dr. Raymond has been involved with application of genetic markers in the cat for forensic analysis, which led to the first introduction of an animal DNA fingerprint into court and the development of an STR genotyping system for genetic individualization of cat specimens.
Dr Roland van Oorschot
Forensic Services Department, Victoria Police
After a Agriculture degree in the Netherlands, a PhD in Australia on marsupial genetics, two years at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical research in San Antonio Texas on gene mapping, and one year at the Centre for Animal Biotechnology in Melbourne on genetics of disease resistance in sheep, Dr van Ooschot started working, in 1992, at the Forensic Services Department of Victoria Police where he is currently the Manger of Research & Development and Quality Management of the Biology Division.
Dr van Ooschot has over 60 publications in scientific journals and books, Including an article in Nature in 1997, regarding the ability to retrieve DNA from touched objects, which has revolutionised forensic investigations and assisted in solving many thousands of cases world wide. His current interests are in the areas of: ‘collection and typing of trace DNA samples’ and ‘getting more useful information from available DNA to assist criminal investigations’.
Dr Rebecca Johnson
DNA Laboratory Manager, Australian Museum
Dr Johnson is the manager of the Australian Museum’s DNA Laboratory. Australian Museum staff are frequently asked to assist in identifying animals from their specialty area. These animals may have been involved in wildlife trafficking (live or dead), and/or in the trade of animal parts.
The work of the DNA laboratory is most useful when the animal parts no longer resemble the animal from which they came. Or if the animal is very underdeveloped and is difficult to identify as it doesn’t have the characteristics of an adult specimens. DNA identification techniques have been very successfully usually used in these types of identifications. An example of projects the Australian Museum DNA laboratory has been involved with include: smuggled bird eggs, seized ‘sea-horse’ powder, identification of tuna and whale species from meat, identification of seized gall bladders, and identification of bird blood from a crime scene. Some of these crimes have resulted in $10,000 fines or even time in jail.
Professor Stephen Donnellan
Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum
Steve is a Principal Researcher at the South Australian Museum, Adelaide, Convenor of the South Australian Regional Facility for Molecular Evolution and Ecology at the University of Adelaide and Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity (ACEBB), University of Adelaide
He has more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications in the fields of evolutionary biology, molecular evolution, molecular ecology and systematics. His research has resulted in the discovery of more than 30 species of vertebrates, with a notable recent find of the third species of taipan, the most venomous group of snakes.
As a consequence of a research focus on biodiversity discovery and understanding the evolutionary relationships of the Australasian fauna, his research group has had a number of ‘adventures’ in wildlife forensics.
Colin Oxford
Investigations Manager, Australian Customs Service
Colin is a Chief Investigator with the Australian Customs Service and leads a team which investigates, amongst other things, wildlife trafficking. He holds a Diploma of Government in Investigations and is a graduate of the Management of Serious Crime Course. He has 26 years experience with Customs with the last 13 spent in the Investigations Branch.
He has been involved in numerous investigations, which have led to the arrest of couriers attempting to smuggle bird eggs, venomous snakes and reptiles into and out of Australia as well as other exotic specimens used in traditional medicines. As a result he has experience in the DNA/Genetics requirements in Customs investigations.
On occasions bird smugglers will attempt to break eggs concealed on their bodies in the belief that this will render identification impossible. Of course they are wrong. Also, with worldwide concerns stemming from avian influenza many smuggled bird eggs have to be euthanased for quarantine reasons. As a result the most reliable method of identification of birds and other species is by way of DNA analysis. With many animals listed on the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) formal identification is also vital in preparing impact statements during criminal trials.
On occasions bird smugglers will attempt to break eggs concealed on their bodies in the belief that this will render identification impossible. Of course they are wrong. Also, with worldwide concerns stemming from avian influenza many smuggled bird eggs have to be euthanased for quarantine reasons. As a result the most reliable method of identification of birds and other species is by way of DNA analysis. With many animals listed on the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) formal identification is also vital in preparing impact statements during criminal trials.
Detective Inspector Russ Oxford
Homicide, NSW Police
Russell has spent 27 years in the NSW Police force and has extensive experience in the investigation of major crime, particularly homicide investigation.