A genuinely trans-disciplinary field: The Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science

Australia is a world leader in forensic science. The Australian Museum Centre for Wildlife Genomics is also one of the only wildlife forensics facilities in Australia to be NATA accredited. So, when the opportunity to partner with a close neighbour and expert in forensic science came about, we jumped at the opportunity.

In this blog, we catch up with Claude Roux, Director of the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney, to discuss all things Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science, including the impetus behind the prize, and the type of projects that should consider entering.

The University of Technology Sydney is a leader in Australia’s forensic science landscape. What role does the Centre for Forensic Science play both in and beyond the university?

The UTS Centre for Forensic Science brings together academics and industry partners who share a vision of enhancing crime reduction, crime solving, and national security. We believe that modern, validated scientific techniques, processes, and policies offer significant benefits for Australia in preventing and investigating crime and terrorism. However, finding solutions is complex due to the rapid and constant changes in our daily lives.

Technology, mobility, and transnational crime, including terrorism and trafficking, challenge many aspects of society, impacting security, the economy, and policy. The UTS Centre for Forensic Science addresses this global challenge by fostering innovative thinking that drives knowledge, discovery, and innovation. By applying forensic science as a holistic study of traces (remnants of activity and/or presence), we can understand and influence crime and security on a broader scale.

Our role is to train, research, and engage at the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), information technology (IT), law, and social sciences. We address fundamental questions related to national security and public safety. We embody the forensic science academic excellence that Australia is known for on the global stage, collaborating with colleagues nationwide and internationally.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the Centre for Forensic Science’s journey and contributions in both education and research?

Forensic science education and research have traditionally been viewed as simple applications of other enabling disciplines. While there are understandable, mainly historical reasons for this perspective, accepting it significantly limits the potential of forensic science to address major societal challenges.

UTS was the first Australian university to recognise this limitation and offer undergraduate education in forensic science, starting in 1994. Over the years, our forensic science programs have significantly expanded through various iterations. Our research-inspired and outcome-driven education has been hugely successful, with our graduates now employed across the country and overseas, changing the paradigm so forensic science can realise its potential and become more impactful.

Such changes also require significant research efforts. These efforts need to focus not only on innovation and quantitative measures but also on excellence and relevance to forensic science. There is still a lot of empirical and foundational research required in our field.

The UTS Centre for Forensic Science has established and maintained a high profile both nationally and internationally. We are recognised as the premier academic institution offering forensic science activities in Australia, through the quality of our teaching programs and the depth and breadth of our forensic-related research. Over the years, we have provided practical solutions for organisations such as operational forensic science laboratories, law enforcement, defence and intelligence agencies, law firms, insurance companies, as well as individuals and the community in general. Many of these solutions involve partnerships with local and overseas businesses and organisations, particularly the Australian Federal Police.

We possess genuine trans-disciplinary expertise in areas such as forensic and analytical chemistry, forensic and molecular biology, massively parallel sequencing (MPS), explosives, firearm residues, fingerprint detection and identification, trace evidence, forensic intelligence, drugs, toxicology, taphonomy, fire accelerants, odour and volatile detection, forensic document examination, human decomposition, chemical decomposition, microfluidics, Bayesian statistics, method validation, accreditation, and certification.

Recent examples of impactful research include:

• Establishing a foundational framework for forensic science, transforming the discipline worldwide.
• Improving the evidential value of traces such as DNA, fibres, and glass for better justice outcomes.
• Developing and validating new methods for fingermark detection, drug identification, and DNA collection.
• Developing a multi-case approach (forensic intelligence) that allows forensic traces to decipher criminal activity and networks or improve our understanding of harmful behaviours (e.g., drug use).
• Developing novel methods to detect dead bodies or estimate time since death through the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER).
• Integrating digital traces and digital forensic science into the foundational forensic science framework.

Our colleagues across Australia have also significantly contributed to forensic science research efforts. The biennial symposium of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society is now considered the premier forensic science conference in the world in terms of the quality of research presentations.

Australia has become an international leader in forensic science, and it is time to recognize the excellence of Australian forensic science through a prestigious award program like the Eureka Prizes.

The University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science is awarded for an outcome inspired by outstanding forensic research that combines ground-breaking quality and significant societal or academic impact. Tell us more about the prize purpose and why this prize is important.

To truly benefit society, it is crucial to recognise forensic science as a distinctive discipline. There is an urgent need to inspire and support research and activities in forensic science that combine excellence, relevance, and impact. The forensic science community in Australia has reached a level of maturity and critical mass, with numerous outstanding contributions making it an international leader. Celebrating these achievements with the Eureka Prize is both important and timely.

Outstanding research and initiatives that might consider entering this prize include:

• Foundational and empirical research improving the reliability and effectiveness of forensic science.
• Method development and validation enhancing the use of science and technology in investigations and court.
• Novel approaches for more effective use of forensic science in crime prevention and disruption, reducing harmful behaviours.
• Improved methods for investigating homicides and identifying human remains.
• Innovative solutions addressing digital transformation challenges and mitigating digital and transnational cybercrime.

Who might consider entering this prize?

Anyone, whether an individual or a team, who has conducted research or research-inspired activities in forensic science that combine excellence and impact, is eligible.

Forensic science is defined in a modern, broad sense as the study of traces—whether virtual or physical remnants of past activities, such as an individual’s presence or actions. This involves their detection, analysis, and interpretation to investigate events of public interest, such as crimes or security incidents. As a result, anyone with research or research-inspired activities that led to a significant societal impact from improved forensic trace detection, analysis, and interpretation should consider to enter this Prize. Examples of such activities are listed above.

What practical impacts might the broader community observe in their day to day lives due to the types of innovative solutions recognised by this prize?

The solutions recognised by this Prize have practical impacts, including enhanced public safety, a perception of a safer community, better police and justice outcomes, and increased confidence in authorities and society. Additionally, these solutions contribute to improved health and wellbeing. For instance, better knowledge about drug smuggling and consumption not only reduces crime and enhances public safety but also boosts individual wellbeing and public health outcomes.

What excites you most about this space?

I have always been passionate about forensic science because it is the ultimate transdisciplinary domain. We deal with the most uncertain situations that cannot be repeated. We focus on items that have not been statistically or scientifically produced and are often compromised. This field requires a high level of critical thinking, hypothesis development and testing, and a proper logical framework. Simply put, we are a historical science, using our knowledge and logical rules based on data derived from experimental science tools. And our findings have significant societal impact. Forensic science truly embodies trans disciplinarity and impact.

My lifelong professional motivation is driven by my vision of forensic science as a distinctive academic and holistic research-based discipline. I am thrilled about the creation of the Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science, as such a prize represents the realisation of this vision.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.