Forensic Standards Development Project

ANZPAA NIFS are working towards addressing the lack of agreed formal technical standards across Australian and New Zealand law enforcement and forensic science agencies, which is a situation that inhibits the standardisation of practices.

 

The need for standardisation is strongly supported by the Police Commissioners and Attorney General’s Departments and aligns with their commitment to the Standardisation of forensic processes across the jurisdictions.

 

A discipline specific Standard was initially developed as part of a scoping study to assess the feasibility of the project.

 

The current aim of the project is to develop a core set of forensic related standards that will define the generic practices for individuals undertaking collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of analyses relating to all types of forensic material. 

 

The project will also develop a supplementary Standard that will define a specific practice around the specifications required in products used to collect and analyse biological material for forensic analysis.

 

A Forensic Analysis Committee (CH-041) was established in 2009 to develop the proposed Australian Standards via a committee development pathway.

 

 

 

The members on the Committee represent the following stakeholders:

 

  • Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA)
  • Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS)
  • Australian Federal Police (AFP)
  • Consumer Action
  • Expertise, Evidence & Law Program, School of Law, University of New South Wales
  • National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA)
  • National Institute of Forensic Science (ANZPAA NIFS)
  • New South Wales Police Force
  • Queensland Police Service
  • University of Canberra
  • Victoria Police Forensic Services Department
  • Victorian Institute Forensic Medicine (VIFM)
  • Western Australia Chemistry Centre
  • Western Australia Police

A Forensic Standards Working Group (FSWG) is established to assist the NIFS project officer in developing each working draft for submission to the CH-041 Committee.

 

The FSWG is made up of volunteer practitioners from relevant forensic science disciplines from various laboratories and law enforcement agencies from around Australia and New Zealand.

 

Project proposals approved for development by Standards Australia to date:

  • Project 100071, AS5239 Examination of ignitable liquids in fire debris.
  • Project 100416, AS5388.1 Recognition, recording, recovery, transport and storage of material.
  • Project 100417, AS5388.2 Analysis and examination of material.
  • Project 100418, AS5388.3 Interpretation of results.
  • Project 100419, AS5388.4 Reporting results and conclusions.
  • Project 100420, Specifications for products used to collect and analyse biological material for forensic purposes.

Contact Information

secretariat.nifs@anzpaa.org.au