PhD candidates
Sandali Alahakone
Contact: Sandali.Alahakone@uts.edu.au
Profiling the Odour of Human Skeletal Remains
Supervisors: Dr Maiken Ueland, Dr Hayley Green
Expected completion: July, 2023
In order to aid in the training of cadaver detection dogs, this project intends to profile the volatilome of human skeletal remains and identify any compounds of interest. Additionally, the validity of using the ratio of collagen breakdown as a means of estimating the post-mortem interval of skeletal remains is evaluated using histological analysis and infrared spectroscopy.
Manal Nasser M Alhosawi
Contact: ManalNasserM.Alhosawi@student.uts.edu.au
Using mass spectrometry approach for toxicological investigation of functional neurological disorder (FND)
Supervisors: Professor Shanlin Fu and Dr Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil
Expected completion: November, 2026
This study will identify metabolites that can differentiate patients with FND from controls, which will provide significant insight into molecular mechanisms and will lead to incorporation of promising biomarkers of FND into clinical practice.
Lutfi Asad
Contact: Lutfi.Asad@student.uts.edu.au
Fingermarks in Blood: Protein Enhancement Methods and Interpretation
Supervisors: Distinguished Professor Claude Roux, Associate Professor Xanthe Spindler and Dr Sebastian Moret
Expected completion: August, 2025
This research project has 2 aims, with the first aim is to identify, develop, optimize and validate current proteins stains or novel optical instruments that are in use in other scientific fields that could enhance fingermarks in blood. The second aim is to identify, test and integrate methods to help interpret bloody fingermarks; e.g. was blood immersed onto a finger before being placed on a clean surface or did the surface contain blood before contact with the finger was made?
With further understanding, we could reconstruct what took place in a crime scene and test different propositions.
Lauren Atwood
Contact: Lauren.C.Atwood@student.uts.edu.au
Project Title: Data driven decision making – Real time analysis of casework DNA recovery rates for improved operational management
Supervisors: Distinguished Professor Claude Roux, Dr Georgina Meakin, Dr Marie Morelato
Expected completion: February 2029
The calculation of DNA recovery rates, how frequently one recovers a DNA profile from a DNA subsample, can be valuable for informing a variety of decisions, such as which exhibit to sample in a crime scene, which sampling method to use, prioritisation of sample processing, triaging decision making and allocation of resources. Although existing literature states that knowledge of DNA recovery rates is valuable, no empirical information is reported on how the recovery rates are being used operationally, or how they have impacted upon the decisions identified above. This project proposes to benchmark current and historical DNA recovery rates from casework data and to develop a live dashboard of DNA recovery rates for deployment to Crime Scene Officers in field. The engagement with, and operational decision making based on, the dashboard will be gathered, measured, and reported to determine the impact of using recovery rate data to underpin decision making in an operational environment.
Analisa Chiaravalle
Contact: Analisa.Chiaravalle@student.uts.edu.au
Investigation of Metal-organic Frameworks in Gunshot Residue
Supervisors: Dr Scott Chadwick, Associate Professor Alison Beavis, and Distinguished Professor Claude Roux
Expected completion: February, 2024
This research aims to firstly synthesise, characterise and evaluate the stability of a range of novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for incorporation into ammunition, and secondly to determine whether the addition of MOFs into ammunition affects gunshot residue (GSR) distribution, bullet accuracy or firearm mechanisms. Incorporating MOFs into ammunition will allow investigators to visualise luminescent GSR, which can generate a link between a person of interest, firearm or crime scene. The ability to visualise GSR particles will also aid investigators by streamlining the collection process at a scene to avoid long sample queues in the laboratory.
Lumikki Clover Ree
Contact: Lumikki.CloverRee@uts.edu.au
Investigation into the effect of surfactants in powder suspension formulations for fingermark development
Supervisors: Dr Scott Chadwick, Dr Sebastien Moret, and Dr Mackenzie de la Hunty
Expected completion: July, 2024
This research aims to investigate the role surfactants play in the mechanism by which powder suspensions are able to develop fingermarks on various surfaces. Better understanding of this mechanisms will allow further optimisation of powder suspension formulations, which will improve the rate and quality of fingermark detection possible using this technique.
Sharni Collins
Contact: Sharni.E.Collins@student.uts.edu.au
The investigation of clothed human remains
Supervisors: Dr Maiken Ueland, Associate Professor Barbara Stuart, and Dr Luca Maestrini
Expected completion: August, 2023
Clothing materials are a ubiquitous source of evidence in forensic cases, particularly when involving human remains. My project aims to investigate the ability to detect and monitor human decomposition products collected in clothing materials associated with decomposed human remains using ATR-FTIR and GC-MS/MS. The overall objective is to determine whether these products can be utilised as potential biomarkers of human decomposition to aid in the estimation of time since death.
Ayusha Dahal
Contact: Ayusha.Dahal@student.uts.edu.au
A multidisciplinary approach for the forensic examination of skulls
Supervisor: Associate Professor Jodie Ward, Professor Dennis McNevin, Dr Denise Donlon, and Professor Stewart Fallon
Expected completion: May, 2024
This research aims to review the accuracy of the age at death, sex, and ancestry estimations from different forensic examination approaches by comparing the results against known and self-reported donor data. The findings of this research will contribute to development of a recommended multidisciplinary approach for forensic human identification in skull only cases.
Alisha Deo
Contact: Alisha.Deo@student.uts.edu.au
Mummification in human cadavers and human analogues
Supervisor: Dr. Maiken Ueland and A/Prof. Barbara Stuart
Expected completion: August, 2023
The focus of this research is to monitor the trends and patterns of lipid degradation in the skin and tissue of human and pig remains, emphasising on natural mummification. The objectives of this research are to understand the different chemical compositions and processes involved within both species, with aims of predicting natural mummification.
Ciara Devlin
Contact: Ciara.Devlin@uts.edu.au
The potential of using the forensic profiles of fraudulent identity documents to assist in intelligence-led policing
Supervisors: Dr Marie Morelato, Dr Scott Chadwick, Dr Sebastien Moret, Dr Simon Baechler, and Dr Jennifer Raymond
Expected completion: December, 2024
Currently there is little understanding of the fraudulent document climate here in Australia. My project aims to gain an understanding of this marketplace through examining the manufacture and distribution of fraudulent identity documents in Australia. By profiling the visual characteristics of these documents it is possible to identify those that have been produced by the same source. We are investigating whether a systematic method for profiling and comparison of these fraudulent documents could be implemented within Australia, assisting in the identification of prolific offenders, organised crime groups and terrorist cells.
Madysen Elbourne
Contact: Madysen.Elbourne@uts.edu.au
Metabolomic analysis of equine urine for longitudinal assessments
Supervisors: Professor Shanlin Fu, Dr Adam Cawley and Dr Anjali Gupta
Expected completion: September, 2024
This research aims to expand the detection period of both allowed (route dependent) and prohibited therapeutic drugs in racehorses, using targeted and untargeted metabolomic analysis methods. The drugs of interest for this study are altrenogest, a steroid commonly used for hormone regulation in female horses, and Stavelo, a human anti-Parkinson's disease medication used to increase low levels of dopamine, however, is prohibited in the horse racing industry.
Harrison Fursman
Contact: Harrison.Fursman@uts.edu.au
Reducing the negative impact of illicit drug consumption - the added value of the longitudinal analysis of the content of used injecting paraphernalia
Supervisors: Dr Marie Morelato, Distinguished Professor Claude Roux and Dr Scott Chadwick
Expected completion: August, 2024
The first aim of this project is to obtain a longitudinal and objective picture of substances consumed by people who inject drugs by analysing the residual drug content of used injecting paraphernalia collected from the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Sydney.
The second aim of this project is to develop and validate the use of portable near-infrared spectroscopy within Australia for the identification and quantification of illicit drug seizures.
Both of these aims contribute to Australia's harm minimisation approach to illicit drugs. The primary focus is on reducing harm to people who consume drugs by monitoring drug trends for emerging deviations. This could include the detection of additional drugs added or if there was a substitution of the intended substance with an alternate (deceptive sale). Additionally, this work will help support decision-making for front-line policing in order to reduce the supply of drugs on the streets.
Teneil Hanna
Contact: Teneil.Hanna@uts.edu.au
Fingermark detection: what is the best approach to assess the quality of a technique?
Supervisor: Dr Sebastien Moret and Dr Scott Chadwick
Expected completion: March, 2024
This research aims to investigate the factors contributing to fingermark quality. Understanding how best to approach these complexities and recognise the impact they have on quality interpretation will help introduce a more specific quality assessment method that is more reliable, less subjective, and allow for cross-collaboration between institutions. This will lead to the creation of a robust set of guidelines for the assessment of fingermark quality.
Rachael Hoffmann
Contact: Rachael.Hoffmann@student.uts.edu.au
The utility of trace DNA for investigatons and intelligence purposes
Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Claude Roux, Dr Marie Morelato and Dr Georgina Meakin
Expected completion: May, 2025
Using historical casework data to assess the utility of the information provided by trace DNA traces for criminal investigations and for intelligence purposes. Comparing this to the real-life application of these traces in investigations, to create a decision-making model considering recovery rates and the utility of trace DNA to assist in trace selection.
Zaccariah Knobel
Contact: Zaccariah.Knobel@student.uts.edu.au
Estimating post-mortem interval of soft and hard tissue in a temperate Australian environment
Supervisor: Dr Maiken Ueland, Associate Professor Barbara Stuart, Professor Shari Forbes, and Dr Hayley Green
Expected completion: November, 2022
This project aimed to optimise two methods for the estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) for soft and hard tissues in a temperate Australian environment at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). Taphonomic observational data was used to adapt the existing total body scoring (TBS) method and develop a locale-specific scoring method for estimation of PMI using soft tissue degradation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV/Vis detection was used to quantify citrate content (Ci) in human bone, monitoring the changes over time to establish a model which could be used to estimate the PMI of hard tissues. This research intends to set a precedent for the optimisation and application of locale-specific methods and models for forensic casework in our unique Australian climates and environments.
Archie Lambrinos
Contact: Archie.Lambrinos@student.uts.edu.au
Development of chemical sensing techniques for in-field drugs of abuse testing
Supervisor: Professor Shanlin Fu and Dr Morgan Alonzo
Expected completion: July, 2026
Well-established presumptive chemical colour tests exist for the traditional drugs of abuse such as heroin and methylamphetamine commonly found at crime scenes. However, there are very limited ones for the newly emerged new synthetic drugs including piperazines, cathinones, NBOMEs and fentanyls. The aim of this project is to develop sensitive and specific drug test methods for in-field testing of these new synthetic drugs. The study will also investigate the feasibility of developing a multiplexer that can screen these different drug classes simultaneously in a single test. Availability of these new test methods will help increase the in-field drug testing capability and efficiency for the law enforcement authorities.
Victoria Lau
Contact: Victoria.Lau@uts.edu.au
Revisiting Textile Fibre Transfer and Persistence to Improve the Evaluation of Forensic Evidence
Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Claude Roux and Associate Professor Xanthe Spindler
Expected completion: February 2024
The value of microtraces (including textile fibres) at the activity level has received less research attention than source level discrimination. This project firstly takes a novel ‘action-packed’ approach with choreographed contact simulations to investigate the transfer and persistence of fibres. Secondarily, the development of a knowledge-based system (KBS) to guide practitioners will be explored. Ultimately, this will improve the interpretation and evaluation of fibres in casework and strengthen the reliability of forensic evidence.
Helen Roebuck
Contact: Helen.C.Roebuck@student.uts.edu.au
DNA transfer at crime scenes - an investigation into prevalence of non-donor DNA
Supervisor: Dr Georgina Meakin, Professor Dennis McNevin, and Roland van Oorschot
Expected completion: July, 2030
From a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data, this project will aim to investigate the variables impact the transfer of non-donor DNA to handled items. From experimental laboratory based studies data will be further generated to inform the circumstances under which non-donor DNA can be deposited onto items when handled by an 'offender' in simulated crime scenes. Combined, these data will assist in guiding forensic practitioners in their interpretation and evaluation of trace DNA evidence recovered from crime scenes.
Matt Saunders
Contact: Matthew.Saunders@uts.edu.au
The Effect of Flowing Water on the Persistence and Degradation of Fibres on a Submerged Substrate
Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Claude Roux and Associate Professor Xanthe Spindler
Expected completion: TBA
This project aims to investigate the utility of fibre evidence after attempts at trace obliteration by submersion. Fibres have survived such attempts in casework historically, so there is substantial potential for expanding their use in these instances. This will enable greater investigative potential in obliteration scenarios and lay the groundwork for future research into cracking these tough cases.
Muhammad Shafique
Contact: Muhammad.Shafique@uts.edu.au
Sequencing of Y-STRs from body fluids
Supervisor: Professor Dennis McNevin
Expected completion: June, 2024
1. Confirm, update or challenge STR mutation mechanisms for Y chromosomes
2. Determine mutation ratios (relative to parent alleles) that can act as a proxy for mutation rates
3. Synthesise a holistic understanding of STR mutation
Kathy Tou
Contact: Kathy.Tou@student.uts.edu.au
Lipidomics Investigations for Improved Equine Anti-Doping using LC-HRMS
Supervisor: Professor Shanlin Fu, Dr. Adam Cawley, Associate Professor David Bishop and Mr. Christopher Bowen
Expected completion: November, 2023
Historically when it came to the detection of drugs for anti-doping purposes, usually it is a targeted detection of the drug itself. However, there has been improvements into using biomarkers for an indirect form of screening to provide a complementary approach to current methods. My research aims to expand the current scope of biomarker detection using equine plasma to include lipids (specifically eicosanoids) and corticosteroids to detect for drug administrations used in the equine racing industry (i.e. exogenous corticosteroids and Bisphosphonates). This research will also aim to expand the biomarkers currently on the equine biological passport to provide a longitudinal assessment of individual horses and gain a better understanding of an individual horse compared to itself rather than the general population.
Bridget Thurn
Contact: Bridget.Thurn@student.uts.edu.au
Investigating methods of detecting victims in mass disasters
Supervisor: Dr Maiken Ueland and Dr Steven Su
Expected completion: June, 2025
Current methods of detecting victims in disaster areas are unreliable and can be dangerous to human and canine search teams. This project aims to investigate alternative methods to locate victims, and does so by utilising the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that comprise odour. By sampling the VOCs released from living and deceased individuals, ante- and post-mortem odour profiles will be developed and used to inform new technologies such as electronic noses that will aid future search-and-rescue efforts.
Eathan Walker
Contact: Eathan.O.Walker@student.uts.edu.au
Metabolic biotransformation of fifth-generation synthetic cannabinoids
Supervisor: Professor Shanlin Fu, Dr Morgan Alonzo and Dr Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil
Expected completion: February, 2026
My project aims to assist the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons to assess and validate genomics tools to aid in the identification of Australia’s unidentified human remains. This research will compare genotyping assays and analytical pipelines to provide recommendations for their implementation in Australia, focusing on the prediction of biological sex, externally visible characteristics, biogeographical ancestry and extended kinship.
Joel Waszczuk
Contact: Joel.R.Waszczuk@student.uts.edu.au
An evaluation of stamped firearm serial numbers, the interpretations of their chemically restored markings and photographic validations
Supervisor: Dr Scott Chadwick, Dr Philip Maynard and Distinguished Professor Claude Roux
Expected completion: August, 2028
The project aims to assess the inconsistencies in stamped serial numbers, compare expert and novice interpretations of chemically restored markings, determining an error rate for interpretations and further assessing the suitability of validating results through photography.
Jessica Watson
Contact: Jessica.Watson@student.uts.edu.au
The identification of missing persons in Australia using emerging forensic genomics techniques
Supervisor: Associate Professor Jodie Ward, Professor Dennis McNevin, and Dr Paul Roffey
Expected completion: August, 2025
My project aims to assist the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons to assess and validate genomics tools to aid in the identification of Australia’s unidentified human remains. This research will compare genotyping assays and analytical pipelines to provide recommendations for their implementation in Australia, focusing on the prediction of biological sex, externally visible characteristics, biogeographical ancestry and extended kinship.
Harrison Woodward
Contact: Harrison.Woodward@uts.edu.au
Investigation of the surface composition and texture of plastic substrates for fingermark development
Supervisor: Dr Sebastien Moret and Dr Scott Chadwick
Expected completion: April, 2025
This project aims to thoroughly explore the surface morphology and composition of a wide range of polymers to determine the influence on fingermark detection methods. With further understanding of these factors, more effective and targeted methods may be able to be employed operationally, leading to higher success rates of fingermark detection.
Layal Zaarour
Contact: Layal.Zaarour@uts.edu.au
The application of mass spectrometry-based proteomics for the identification of body fluids for forensic purposes
Supervisor: Professor Dennis McNevin, Associate Professor Matthew Padula and Dr Roland van Oorschot
Expected completion: April, 2025
This research focuses on the development of a mass spectrometry-based approach for the forensic identification of body fluids by targeting specific protein biomarkers present in biological fluids. This method aims to address the challenges of current tests and allow for the multiplex analysis of body fluids, where multiple analytes in one sample can be targeted simultaneously. The findings will also highlight what other information found within protein profiles of body fluids can be helpful to forensic investigations.