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Recent criticism of forensic science has focused on the fundamental aspects of the science, including the lack of supporting empirical studies, validation, accreditation, limitations and error rates. Proficiency tests are an essential component of accreditation and can be used to evaluate laboratory performance and identify systematic issues within components of the service provision. In 2016 we reported on the results of an analysis of 3176 CTS proficiency tests undertaken between 2005 and 2015 by Australian government service providers. The data analysed represented 43 unique CTS test types and covered 21 disciplines. Here we present further data from 2016 to 2017 and compare these results with those obtained from the previous study. These combined results further demonstrate that errors exist even though practitioners know they are examining proficiency tests and the tests undergo a review process. This study illustrates the need to continue to monitor trends in proficiency test results and also further highlights the need for well-designed, relevant, blind error rate studies to determine the approximate error rates for casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Females are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at all levels of society. Fewer females are completing STEM school subjects, graduating with STEM degrees, being employed as STEM professionals, and holding senior leadership and academic positions in STEM. However, unlike almost every other STEM discipline, the overall ratio of females is higher in many forensic science disciplines. For our sector, rather than having difficulty in attracting females, the bigger issue is how we retain and promote female talent. This complex issue is exacerbated by: gender pay gaps; family role expectations; lack of visible role models or mentors; discrimination and harassment; and bias during recruitment and promotion practices. We discuss barriers relevant for women in the forensic industry and offer potential solutions. These include flexible work arrangements, sponsorship programmes, and fostering and practising an inclusive workplace culture. Gender equity programmes and exemplar STEM organizations focused on a commitment to gender parity will be explored. Harnessing untapped female talent is as much a social justice issue as employing best practices for improving the quality, diversity and output of our forensic science workforce, and research and innovation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standards establish specifications and procedures designed to ensure products, services and systems are safe, reliable and consistently perform as intended. Standards can be used in the accreditation of forensic laboratories or facilities and in the certification of products and services. In recent years there have been various international activities aiming at developing forensic science standards and guidelines. The most significant initiative currently underway within the global forensic community is the development of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. This paper reviews the main bodies working on standards for forensic science, the processes used and the implications for accreditation. This paper specifically discusses the work of ISO Technical Committee TC272, the future TC272 work program for the development of forensic science standards and associated timelines. Also discussed, are the lessons learnt to date in navigating the complex environment of multi-country stakeholder deliberations in standards development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australasian Forensic Science Summit was held in Canberra on 7-8 December 2016 to discuss the future challenges, changes and developments for forensic science. Practitioners, academics and stakeholders gathered to discuss the various issues within one of five working groups. The External Environments working group discussed the external drivers for change, impacts of legislation and policy and the relationship between forensic science, policing and the courts. This article presents the outcomes of the discussions, which culminated in the development of statements designed to direct and stimulate further discussions and work in the development of forensic science in Australia and New Zealand towards 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent criticism of forensic science has focused on the fundamental aspects of the science, including supporting empirical studies, validation, accreditation, limitations and error rates. Proficiency tests are an essential component of accreditation and can be used to evaluate performance and identify systematic issues within components of the service provision. 3,176 CTS proficiency tests undertaken between 2005 and 2015 by Australian government service providers were collated. These tests represent 43 unique CTS test types, covering 21 disciplines. The results for 262 tests were not submitted; the remaining 2,914 tests involved 32,208 comparisons and 21,187 results which were analyzed to determine the accuracy rates and error rates for each of the 21 disciplines. The results demonstrate that errors exist even though practitioners know they are examining a proficiency test and the tests are reviewed. This study illustrates the need to monitor trends in proficiency test results and also highlights the need for well-designed, relevant, blind error rate studies to determine the approximate error rates for casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic laboratories, and less so field forensic organizations, are familiar with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other standards principally through third-party accreditation against ISO 17025. However, there are a limited number of forensic-specific standards. The often quoted 2009 National Research Council (NRC) and National Academies (NAS) report on strengthening forensic science identified the lack of formal standards as a major issue. Where such standards do exist, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM International) forensic standards, they are usually very specific to a particular technique. This paper describes the development of a different approach in Australia. Recognizing the end-to-end nature of the forensic enterprise from crime scene to the court, a standard has been developed that is intentionally not discipline-specific. In four parts, this standard (AS 5388) covers the recognition, recording, recovery, transport and storage of material (Part 1,) the analysis of material (Part 2), interpretation (Part 3), and reporting (Part 4). The management of the process that was used to develop this standard is described, and lessons for the future development of standards identified and discussed. Finally, how this standard can be used as a platform for the development of discipline standards and as an international standard is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid DNA technology has the ability to provide DNA analysis results in real-time. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential investigative value that could be gained by using a rapid DNA workflow in Australia, for reference DNA samples. A survey of police charging stations and DNA analysis laboratories in five Australian jurisdictions identified that a rapid DNA analysis workflow could have impacted the decision to release a person of interest from custody in 0.6% cases. This equates to approximately 480 people per year across Australia who could be held in custody because of DNA results obtained in real time. The survey also identified the extent of a sample backlog in one jurisdiction and highlighted practices in place which limited the number of reference DNA samples collected, thereby reducing the potential impact of the DNA database. It is anticipated that while the cost of rapid DNA technology remains significantly greater than current laboratory processing, the uptake of the technology in Australia will be limited. However, as costs reduce, rapid DNA instruments could potentially become a viable option for the future of forensic science in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]