Friday, 13 March 2026
Chair
Arjun Chhabra, Barrister, Maurice Byers Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Professional Skills
From Science to the Stand: The Evolution of DNA Evidence in the Courts
This session explores how advances in technology, reporting standards, and communication practices have transformed the way forensic experts convey DNA findings in court. Drawing on extensive courtroom experience, Helen Roebuck will highlight key developments, current challenges, and the path forward in ensuring clarity, accuracy, and fairness in the interpretation of forensic science.
Presented by Helen Roebuck, DNA Expert, Principal, Roebuck Forensics
Presenters
Arjun Chhabra, Barrister, Maurice Byers ChambersArjun specialises in appellate and judicial review matters. He has appeared in the High Court of Australia and regularly appears in State and Federal appellate courts. He practices in criminal law, public/administrative law, and family law. Arjun focuses on issues of statutory construction, the limits of judicial and public power, and the admissibility of evidence. He has authored several papers as well as the seminal evidence law text, Exclusionary Provisions in the Uniform Evidence Law, published by Thomson Reuters. Prior to joining the Bar, Arjun worked at various criminal law firms and commercial law firms in Australia, China, and the Middle East, including Baker & McKenzie, Clyde & Co, Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst) and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT).
Helen Roebuck, DNA Expert Witness, Principal, Roebuck Forensics
Helen Roebuck is a practising DNA expert witness with over 20 years of courtroom experience across Australia and select international jurisdictions. She provides authoritative oral and written expert testimony in complex and serious criminal matters, including homicide, sexual assault, firearms, and drug-related cases, delivering evidence in a clear, direct, and persuasive manner. As a Senior Forensic Biologist and Director at Roebuck Forensics, Helen brings extensive experience spanning crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, academic research, and jurisdictional practice. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), further deepening her expertise at the intersection of science and law. An active speaker and educator, Helen is passionate about fostering greater understanding and collaboration between the scientific and legal communities, with the goal of improving the quality and integrity of judicial outcomes. For more information about Helen Roebuck’s work, visit: https://roebuckforensics.com.au/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-roebuck-dna-expert-witness/
