Navigating Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law Matters

Are you struggling with the technical aspects of forensic evidence in your matters? Ready for solutions? This program will provide you with the edge you need on all things forensic evidence. From finding the evidence to understanding digital forensics, making sense of the DNA reports in sexual offence matters, and interpreting forensic toxicology results. You’ll wrap up the day by mastering your interviewing skills. Learn how to craft your questions, manage sensitive topics, and navigate challenging dynamics in forensic evidence matters. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your skills!

Friday, 21 March 2025
Description

Attend and earn 4 CPD units including: 
1 unit in Substantive Law 
3 units in Professional Skills   
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Chair:

Michael Gleeson, Acting Crown Prosecutor, Office Director of Public Prosecutions

Professional Skills
10.00am to 10.45am Digital Forensics: Finding the Evidence

 

  • The role of the forensic technology expert witness
  • Opportunities for locating electronic data evidence to support cases
  • Case studies involving the use of forensic technology, focusing on mobile devices and cloud technology
  • Gain insights into the forensic examination and reporting process, highlighting key considerations for presenting findings in court
  • Look at ways to find electronic data that can help support cases, while also discussing the difficulties created by current security measures 

Presented by Paul Taylor, Partner, Forensic Discovery and Data Management, Deloitte Financial Advisory

Professional Skills
11.00am to 11.45am Illicit Drug Manufacture, Trafficking and Critical Assessment of Forensic Drug Evidence

 

  • Illicit drug manufacture trends, domestic, international
  • Drug trafficking, criminal networks and Australia as an end user illicit drug market
  • Common methods of forensic drug analysis, advantages, limitations and reliability
  • Understanding data quality objectives, quality assurance and uncertainty in forensic drug analysis
  • Tips on effectively communicating complex scientific findings to judges and juries 

Presented by Paul Newell, Director, Forensic Chemist - Chemical Operations

Professional Skills
11.45am to 12.30pm Acting in Sexual Offence Matters: Making Sense of the DNA Report

 

  • Sexual assault investigation workflow
  • DNA workflow: 5 step process
  • Interpretation of known 2-person profile
  • Two Very important concepts
  • Reporting the statistics
  • Situations where we do have or
  • Have to assume additional information
  • Limitations
  • Cases 

Presented by Anna Davey, Director, Forensic Foundations International

9.00am to 10.00am Finding the Evidence

 

  • Searches & warrants: lawfulness, applications to exclude evidence 
  • DNA evidence 
  • Hearsay evidence: DVECs and recordings from body worn footage
  • Acting in drug and poisons offences
  • Expert evidence
  • Admissibility of evidence
  • Influence on jury decisions
  • Challenges & limitations 

Presented by Georgia Lewer, Barrister, Forbes Chambers and Heather Webb, Barrister, Forbes Chambers

10.45am to 11.00am Morning Tea
Professional Skills
12.30pm to 1.15pm Mastering the Art of Interviewing to Elicit Forensic Evidence

 

Effective questioning techniques and methods for eliciting valuable information while considering the psychosocial impact on everyone involved.  

  • Learn how to craft your questions, manage sensitive topics, and navigate challenging dynamics in forensic evidence matters
  • Enhance your interviewing prowess and improve your outcomes 

Presented by Sarah McAlister, Senior Manager, PKF Integrity

Presenters


Michael Gleeson, Acting Crown Prosecutor, Office Director of Public Prosecutions
Michael was Admitted to the the NSW Bar in 2010 having commenced practice as a Barrister in the UK from 2000. Michael developed a practice in common law predominantly in the areas of crime, family, administrative law and personal injury. After five years he specialised in heavyweight criminal law cases and developed a well-balanced practice defending and as a prosecutor. Matters undertaken included cases covering the complete spectrum of criminal offences including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, sexual offences including offences against children, rape, corporate fraud, proceeds of crime, Inquests and breaches under the Health & Safety Act. Michael was regularly instructed in multi-defendant cases for the crown and defence as junior counsel or led by a distinguished English QC. As well as gaining substantial experience as a Jury trial advocate Michael developed a significant Appellate practice appearing before the Court of Appeal Criminal Division in London on many occasions for both Conviction and Sentences Appeals. Michael's Australian experience includes prosecuting Trials under the Criminal Code for the CDPP. In August 2015 Michael began accepting briefs from the NSW State ODPP as a non salaried crown prosecutor. Michael has appeared in all levels of court both defending and prosecuting including the NSWSC and NSWCCA, ICAC and the NSWCC. Michael is the current Legal Director for Triathlon NSW and delivered seminars on topics including Anti-Doping as well as Corporate Governance & Integrity Issues for Sport in Australia. In 2016 Michael assisted in the preparation and drafting of the Triathlon NSW Child Protection Policy. On 1 August 2014 Michael moved to the highly respected Wardell Chambers (formerly 16 Wardell Chambers) in the heart of legal Sydney. In February 2020 Michael was appointed an Acting Crown Prosecutor for the Office Director Of Public Prosecutions.


Paul Taylor, Partner, Forensic Discovery and Data Management, Deloitte Financial Advisory
Paul Taylor is the National Lead Partner for Digital Forensic and has worked in the forensic technology field around the globe for over twenty years. He has consulted for clients around the globe as to how digital forensics and eDiscovery can be used to assist in regulatory inquiries, litigation and internal investigations. Paul advises on how potentially relevant data can be identified, preserved, collected and examined in support of matters. Paul has testified in multiple jurisdictions as an expert witness in digital forensic and has been appointed as an independent expert.


Paul Newell, Director, Forensic Chemist - Chemical Operations
Paul Taylor is the National Lead Partner for Digital Forensic and has worked in the forensic technology field around the globe for over twenty years. He has consulted for clients around the globe as to how digital forensics and eDiscovery can be used to assist in regulatory inquiries, litigation and internal investigations. Paul advises on how potentially relevant data can be identified, preserved, collected and examined in support of matters. Paul has testified in multiple jurisdictions as an expert witness in digital forensic and has been appointed as an independent expert.


Sarah McAlister, Senior Manager, PKF Integrity
Sarah has 27 years of expertise in law enforcement and investigations, with a decade dedicated to specialising in the field of integrity and corruption. She is a skilled investigator and highly trained interviewer. Sarah developed and delivered the ICAC Conduct Investigation Training Workshops for seven years, training external stakeholders and partner agencies in best practice investigation skills.


Heather Webb, Barrister, Forbes Chambers


Georgia Lewer, Barrister, Forbes Chambers


Anna Davey, Director, Forensic Foundations International
Anna Davey B.Sc. (Hons) (Melb), M.Sc. (Melb), Grad Dip Legal Studies (UNE), Grad Cert Pub Sec Mgmt (Flinders), Cert IV CBT (Barton). In 1988, Anna was employed by the then State Forensic Science Laboratory as part of a small team formed to introduce DNA profiling to Victoria for criminal casework. By 1994, she was Team Leader and had developed an interest in education and training in forensic science. In 1997, Anna moved from casework to lead the ‘Quality Management, Education and Information Services’ team. From 2000 – 2004, Anna held the position of Executive Officer of the National Institute of Forensic Science and in 2004, was appointed Deputy Director. In 2008, Anna Davey founded Forensic Foundations International, a specialised service providing flexible fit-for-propose forensic program for expert and legal practitioners. These services involve training, consultancy, case review and auditing. Anna operates in all areas of the forensic sciences, focusing on quality management, the interface between science and the legal system, and forensic science based R&D. She brings an unequalled depth of knowledge and experience to these subjects. Anna is the immediate past Vice President (Australia) of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and is Secretary of Victorian Chapter of the Australian Academy of Forensic Science.

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Navigating Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law Matters

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Single Session
Friday, 21 March 2025
9.00am to 1.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 4
$505.00
Online 20241224 20250321

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