Forensic evidence can be highly persuasive, but how confidently can you test what the science actually proves? Strengthen your ability to analyse, challenge and use complex forensic evidence in criminal matters. Examine emerging drugs and toxicology findings, including the limitations of testing and interpretation, then delve into DNA transfer, contamination and activity level reporting and what increasingly sensitive profiling techniques mean for criminal trials. Drawing on Australian Royal Commissions and inquiries involving forensic science and medicine, you will also explore recurring problems with methodology, expert boundaries, communication and the legal process. Learn from highly experienced forensic specialists and leave better equipped to scrutinise expert evidence, identify its limitations and approach forensic issues strategically in your criminal matters.
Friday, 5 March 2027
Professional Skills
12.15pm to 1.15pm Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’ George Santayana (1905)
Consider the review recently published, its findings and implications for criminal law (Walvisch, J., Penn, S., & Davey, A. (2026) Forensic science in court: a review of Australian Royal Commissions and inquiries. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1-23)
- Consider the background to review and the 12 royal commissions and public inquiries involving forensic science/ medicine ranging from 1984 – 2023
- Examine the findings: five themes emerged relating to forensic science and its use in Court
- Unreliable science and methodology
- Exceeding expertise, lack of independence and bias
- Problems with communication and understanding
- Legal process failures
- Organisational, governance and cultural problems
- What does this mean to us in 2027???
- What are we going to do about it?
Presented by Anna Davey, Director, Forensic Foundations International
11.00am to 11.15am Break
Professional Skills
9.00am to 10.00am Emerging and Novel Drugs: Trends, Toxicological Findings and Implications for Criminal Investigations
- Emerging drug trends and novel psychoactive substances
- The role of drug intelligence and early warning systems in identifying emerging risks and changes in drug markets
- Case examples illustrating the detection of emerging substances and their implications for forensic investigations
- Interpreting toxicology findings involving emerging drugs, including the limitations of testing and the implications for evidentiary interpretation
- Key considerations for legal practitioners when interpreting toxicology reports and examining forensic toxicologists
Presented by Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann, Head, Drug Intelligence Unit, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine; Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD Units in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Professional Skills
10.00am to 11.00am DNA Transfer, Activity-Level Reporting and the Challenges in Criminal Trials
- Moving beyond the question of whose DNA was detected to consider how that DNA may have been transferred
- Direct and indirect DNA transfer
- Activity-level propositions and the information required
- Contamination during collection, examination, storage and laboratory analysis
- The implications of increasingly sensitive DNA profiling techniques
- Australian case studies involving disputed interpretation regarding DNA transfer
- Identifying assumptions that may not be supported by the collection, handling and examination data
- Cross-examining forensic experts on transfer, contamination and activity-level conclusions
Presented by Jane Taupin, Independent Forensic Scientist
Professional Skills
11.15am to 12.15pm Post-Mortem CT, Forensic Imaging and the Future of Forensic Pathology
- The role of forensic autopsy and modern forensic imaging
- Post-mortem CT as a routine part of contemporary death investigation
- How imaging findings compare with traditional autopsy findings
- Emerging issues regarding admissibility and evidentiary use
- Reviewing imaging evidence before trial
- Defence opportunities and risks
- When imaging should be independently reviewed
- Practical implications for criminal lawyers and expert witnesses
Presented by Professor David Ranson, Associate & Adj Clinical Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University; Adjunct (Honorary) Professor, LaTrobe University Law School
Presenters
Jane Taupin, Independent Forensic ScientistJane Moira Taupin has been a forensic scientist for over 30 years and is currently an independent forensic science consultant. She has reported forensic biology evidence for police agencies in Australia and the United Kingdom, including scene attendance and trials. She has performed review and defence work for Australian States, the United Kingdom, the United States and Thailand. Jane initially worked in cancer and immunology research until she joined the Australian Federal Police, working in diverse areas including drug surveillance and government fraud. She left to join the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre where she reported cases involving biological evidence in major crime including crime scene attendance, and DNA profiling evidence since 1999. Concurrently she obtained a Masters in Criminology with her thesis on the impact of DNA profiling one of the first in the field. She moved to England where she performed similar work for police agencies in the United Kingdom. Jane has published many articles in peer reviewed forensic journals on biological evidence and three text books, two on DNA evidence. She has also won national and international forensic science awards.
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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.
Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann, Head, Drug Intelligence Unit, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine; Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University
Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann is Head of the Drug Intelligence Unit at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Australia. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Pharmacology (2006) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Forensic Medicine (2011) from Monash University. She is a forensic pharmacologist and toxicologist, with two decades of experience examining drug-related harms in the community. She has published extensively, presented her research throughout the world, and received a number of awards in recognition of her work, including a prestigious 2019 Churchill Fellowship and the 2024 Achievement Award from The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT). Her research has stimulated public debate, engaged media, and been directly responsible for changes in Australian policy and practice. Jennifer is President of the Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Association (FACTA), on the Board of TIAFT, and the Stop the Coward Punch foundation, and a Scientific Adviser for Pill Testing Australia. She is also Forensic Lead for the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia- Victoria project.
Professor David Ranson, Associate and Adj Clinical Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University; Adjunct (Honorary) Professor, LaTrobe University Law School
David Ranson has been a forensic pathologist both in Bristol in the UK and, since 1988, in Melbourne, Australia. He has held a range of positions at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) including Head of Forensic Services (Deputy Director). He retired from the VIFM in 2024 but remains an active teacher, writer and researcher. Currently he is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Monash Medical School and an Adjunct Professor in the La Trobe University Law School. David is actively involved in corporate and clinical governance consulting with a focus on medical law and law relating to the coronial jurisdictions. He is currently the forensic pathology adviser to the Chief Coroner in New Zealand and has worked with business consultants (inc. NOUS) and the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) in reviewing and accrediting forensic pathology services across Australia. David has a strong interest in Coronial law and procedure, expert medical evidence, forensic medicine in public health and related aspects of therapeutic jurisprudence. David has published widely including textbooks, editorials, research papers, forensic pathology technical/expert consultancy reports as well as forensic business consultancy reports.
