Forensic Science SA conducts research and development and our employees publish in scientific and medical journals.
2022 ANZPAA National Institute of Forensic Science Best Paper Awards
Best Paper - Capability Enhancement and Innovation
Winner
D. Taylor, D. Abarno. Using big data from probabilistic genotyping to solve crime. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 57 (2022): 102631.
2021 ANZPAA National Institute of Forensic Science Best Paper Awards
Best Paper - Capability Enhancement and Innovation
Winner
D. Taylor, J.-A. Bright, L. Scandrett, D. Abarno, S.-I. Lee, R. Wivell, H. Kelly, J. Buckleton, Validation of a top-down DNA profile analysis for database searching using a fully continuous probabilistic genotyping model, Forensic Science International: Genetics 52 (2021) 102482.
Best Technical Article or Note
Winner
Russell Cook, Natasha Mitchell, Julianne Henry (2021) Assessment of DiamondTM Nucleic Acid Dye for the identification and targeted sampling of latent DNA in operational casework. Forensic Science International Genetics 55:102579.
Highly Commended
J.-A. Bright, J. Buckleton, D. Taylor, Probabilistic interpretation of the Amelogenin locus, Forensic Science International: Genetics 52 (2021) 102462.
Best Case Study
Winner
Andrew Camilleri, Sam Alfred, Cobus Gerber, Stephen Lymb, Ben Painter, Anne Rathjen, and Peter Stockham. Delivering harm reduction to the community and frontline medical practitioners through the South Australian Drug Early Warning System (SADEWS), Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology, 2021.
2020 ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards
Best New Publisher in a Refereed Journal
Winner
Examining the additivity of peak heights in forensic DNA profiles. Kevin Cheng, Jo-Anne Bright, Zane Kerr, Duncan Taylor, Anne Ciecko, James Curran and John Buckleton. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2020, 1-15.
Best Case Study
Winner
Environmental methamphetamine exposures and health effects in 25 case studies. Jackie Wright, Michaela Kenneally, Kirstin Ross and Stewart Walker. Toxics 8.3 (2020): 61.
Best Technical Article or Note
High Commended
Assessment of the Yfiler® Plus PCR amplification kit for the detection of male DNA in semen-negative sexual assault cases. Julianne Henry and Lenara Scandrett. Science & Justice 59 (2019) 480-485.
Best Paper – Capability Enhancement and Innovation
Winner
Using Bayesian networks to track DNA movement through complex transfer scenarios. Duncan Taylor, Lydie Samie and Christophe Champod. Forensic Science International: Genetics 42 (2019) 69-80.
Best Paper – Forensic Fundamentals
Winner
Investigating the position and level of DNA transfer to undergarments during digital sexual assault. Phola Ramos, Oliva Handt and Duncan Taylor. Forensic Science International: Genetics 47 (2020) 102316.
2021 – Public Service Medal for Duncan Taylor
Duncan has been with us for over 15 years and is considered one of the leading international experts in the field of forensic DNA statistics, with expertise in molecular biology, population genetics and mathematics. Duncan is one of the co-developers of STRMix, has published extensively in the field, improved the level of information provided to criminal investigations from DNA evidence and given critical evidence in some of SAs most well-known criminal cases.
Duncan is selflessly willing to share his expertise and time to assist colleagues and others where he can; he does not recognise what a 37.5 hour week is! Such dedication and commitment to public service makes Duncan a very worthy recipient of this award.
2019 ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards
Best paper in a referred journal
Winners
Andrew Camilleri, Damien Abarno, Carolyne Bird, Anne Coxon, Natasha Mitchell, Kahlee Redman, Nicol Sly, Stephen Wills, Edmund Silenieks, Ellie Simpson and Heather Lindsay - A risk-based approach to cognitive bias in forensic science.
Highly commended
Duncan Taylor, James Curran and John Buckleton - Likelihood ratio development for mixed Y-STR profiles.
Kelsey Seyfang, Nick Lucas, Kahlee Redman, Rachel Popelka-Filcoff, Hilton Kobus and Paul Kirkbride - Glass-containing gunshot residues and particles of industrial and occupational origins: Considerations for evaluating GSR traces.
Best technical article or note
Winners
Duncan Taylor, Emily Rowe, Maarten Kruijver, Damien Abarno, Jo-Anne Bright and John Buckleton - Inter-sample contamination detection using mixture deconvolution comparison.
Best literature review
Highly commended
Duncan Taylor, Bas Kokshoorn and Alex Biedermann - Evaluation of forensic genetics findings given activity level propositions: A review.
Best case study
Winners
Emma Partridge, Stephen Trobbiani, Peter Stockham, Cheryl Charlwood and Chris Kostakis - A case study involving U-47700, Diclazepam and Flubromazepam - application of retrospective analysis of HRMS data.
Highly Commended
Christine Nash, Danielle Butzbach, Peter Stockham, Timothy Scott, Greg Abroe, Ben Painter, John Gilbert and Chris Kostakis - A fatality involving furanylfentanyl and MMMP, with presumptive identification of three MMMP metabolites in urine.
Current research
Email us at forensicadministration@sa.gov.au for more information about current research.