Finalist, South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Award

Category : Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration

A successful, longstanding collaboration between researchers at Flinders University and Forensic Science SA (FSSA) is driving innovation, efficiency, and training in forensic science, and establishing South Australia as an internationally recognised centre of excellence for forensic research.
This partnership has delivered new methods for crime investigators to locate, record, and collect DNA efficiently; harnessed artificial intelligence to produce and read DNA profiles more accurately and quickly than ever before; developed a unique way to link gunshot residues on a shooting victim to the ammunition used; and identified manufacturing signatures in illicit drugs, allowing authorities to proactively legislate to reduce supply. This practice-focussed research has produced collaborations with federal police, state police in SA, WA, and NSW, defence organisations, as well as partners outside the forensic sector who can leverage discoveries for social and environmental benefit.
This collaboration is developing new techniques, now adopted by national and international forensic agencies, boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of SA’s justice system, and increasing public confidence in criminal investigations.

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