Celebrating the women of our Forensic Services Department

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

Many in the science community will be celebrating the achievements and contributions made by female scientists in shaping the world around us so we're taking the opportunity to shine the spotlight on a few scientists of our own.???

You don’t often associate policing with being on the forefront of science and technology, so it might surprise you to know that the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department (FSD) is one of the largest providers of forensic science services in Australia.?

With over 63 per cent of Forensics Department staff being female, we thought we’d take the time to speak with a few experts in their field and hear their stories.??

Leading Senior Constable Henriett Ercsei - Crime Scene Examiner, Major Crime Scene Unit?

What qualification do you have???

I joined Victoria Police after working previously as an insurance broker. I’m currently completing my final year of a Graduate Certificate Forensic Investigation course.??

Why were you interested in joining FSD???

It has been a dream of mine, since 1993, when I completed High School and I watched Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs.?I studied all the science subjects in High School and I knew I wanted a rewarding and challenging career. Crime Scene is a highly professional and specialised job, which requires years of practical experience as well as training.???

What do you most enjoy about the role???

Searching for clues and evidence that are not always visible to the naked eye. Solving a loved one’s death. Building a puzzle that gets passed onto the detectives and presented at court, ultimately convicting an offender.???

Do you have a highlight in your career so far???

For me personally, simply doing a job that I love is the highlight. Every day is different, and I am continually learning.???

Any tips for people looking to go into a career in forensics or science???

Universities these days offer a wide variety of courses ranging from Science Courses to Forensic Investigation.? You can access the Forensic Field either via Victoria Police and become a Crime Scene Examiner/Expert or alternatively joining our Biological Sciences Group.???

Ellinor (Ellie) Taylor - Forensic Officer, Morwell Regional Forensic Hub?

What qualification do you have???

I have dual bachelor’s degree - a Bachelor of Forensic Science (Molecular Biology major) and a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice from Griffith University in Queensland.?

Why were you interested in joining Victoria Police???

I was travelling around Victoria with my aunty and uncle in November of 2017 after I graduated from university and was looking at jobs in Forensic Science. I saw the regional hubs job advertised and was really interested in the multi-disciplinary work the Hubs were going to be doing. Having a degree in Molecular Biology meant that a career in Forensic Science for me meant working exclusively in biological departments. I was really excited that working at the Hubs meant I could examine a wide range of items over multiple disciplines.?

What do you enjoy most about the role???

I love that every day is different. Being authorised in the recovery of fingerprint and biological evidence as well as drug intelligence and audio-visual examinations means I work on a diverse range of items. One day I could be examining a firearm for fingerprint and biological evidence and the next I could be recovering CCTV footage from a system seized from a crime scene.??

What do you find difficult about the role??

Sometimes the nature of the cases I work on can be tough but I know I am fully supported by management and my colleagues so being able to openly talk to them if I am struggling is really reassuring.?

Tips for people going into a career in forensics or science???

Always search for ways to improve or further your knowledge. Whether that is applying for roles that have multi-disciplinary aspects or studying new and upcoming scientific topics, expanding your knowledge will mean that you will be able to adapt to the forever changing (and exciting) landscape of having a career in science!?

Have you witnessed any change in in forensics since you’ve been at FSD:?

I think the Regional Forensic Hubs are at the forefront of forensic examinations. We undertake multi-disciplinary examinations which was previously treated as separate. Having the training and awareness of evidence recovery across multiple disciplines allows you to make informed decisions and ensure the best quality evidence is recovered.?

Megan Bish - Senior Forensic Officer, Clandestine Laboratory Unit?

What does your role entail???

We respond to clandestine laboratory crime scenes (illicit drug manufacture) and perform site safety assessments, deactivating chemical processes and process the crime scenes. We perform examinations, analysis and reporting of clandestine laboratory related exhibits, perform chemical assessments and provide expert chemical advice, drug analysis, testimony in court, and provide advice and training for other jurisdictions.??

What qualifications you have???

Bachelor of Biotechnology & Cell Biology (Chemistry Honours), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry?

What do you most enjoy about the role???

The variety and excitement- no two days of on-call are the same, I never know where in Victoria I will end up and what I will encounter. I am always learning (still!), and I work with an amazing group of people who are really supportive.?

Any tips for people looking to go into a career in forensics or science???

Network just as hard as you study, sometimes it’s all about who you know.?

You’ve been at FSD for 14 years, have you witness a lot of change in your field over the years???

In recent years the Clandestine Laboratory Unit has witnessed a surge in novel precursor chemicals (starting materials) and methods used for drug manufacture. Although our analytical chemistry techniques have remained constant, identifying and confirming these novel substances and chemicals always keeps us on our toes. Instrumentation used for screening unknown substances in the field has become more portable, improving our capability to readily identify compounds and provide information to police investigators in real time.?

There are also many women in senior leadership here compared to when I first started. I am inspired and proud to have a female Executive Director, Director of Forensic Operations and Chief Forensic Scientist. FSD is focused on engendering change, actively championing the role of women in forensic leadership.?

Kylie Beeson - Unit Leader, Chemical Trace Unit (with expertise in the area of Gunshot Residue)?

What qualification do you have???

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry from Monash University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science form LaTrobe University.?

Why were you interested in joining FSD???

With a background in Chemistry, I wanted to do something different, and the area forensics sounded interesting to me, and it is!?

What do you most enjoy about the role???

The talented people I work alongside of and the diverse nature of the work, from laboratory examination to attending shooting related crime scenes and contributing to making our community a safer place.??

Do you have a highlight in your career so far???

I have worked in the Chemical Trace Unit for 18 years. This Unit examines forensic evidence collected from crime scenes that include paint, glass, fibres, chemical irritants, gunshot residue and other types of trace evidence. I was the first unsworn female forensic officer authorised to attend crime scenes to collect samples for the purposes of gunshot residue. Since then, I have dedicated my career to developing and improving gunshot residue related casework and scene attendance as well as developing new technologies. I have also attended the ANZFSS symposium that showcases research and work in the forensic field both nationally and internationally and have recently taken on the role of Unit Leader of the Chemical Trace Unit.?

What do you find difficult about the role???

I have attended many crime scenes over the years including homicides and the Black Saturday bushfires. Some of the scenes we attend can be quite confronting, however the support that VicPol offer has improved quite a lot and it’s great to able to manage and monitor my staff’s mental health and wellbeing with compassion and support.?

Tips for people going into a career in forensics or science???

Be persistent!?

Natasha Sofkarova - Firearm and Toolmark examiner, Ballistics Unit??

What qualification do you have???

This is one of the few roles at the FSD that doesn’t require a prior science degree or qualification. You gain your qualifications through completing the Ballistics National Training Curriculum as a Level 1 Forensic Firearm Examiner. It’s a combination of written assignments, supervised case work and a verbal assessment. The rest is continual learning through case work and practical experience.??

What do you most enjoy about the role???

I enjoy the practical and hands on components of the job. Some cases are relatively straight forward but there are ones that you come across that involve a lot of problem solving and lateral thinking. You’re always learning something new and expanding your knowledge bank.??

Do you have a highlight in your career so far???

It’s hard to pick only one highlight. A few standout moments would have to be some of our practical training days where I’ve had the opportunity to shoot a M60 Machine Gun and some of our black powder guns. Seeing people’s reactions when we show them the Ballistics Firearms Reference Library is always great too.??

Any tips for people looking to go into a career in forensics or science???

For anyone (sworn or unsworn) considering a career in forensics, I would encourage them to go along to any information sessions that are available. Speaking with experts in your desired field will help gain a better understanding of the role and requirements necessary. You may even discover a completely different field you hadn’t previously considered.?

Monica van Wissen - Case Manager, Reporting Unit of Biology?

What does your role entail???

Case management involves deciding which items to examine and the testing required, DNA profile interpretation and the issuing of reports, including statements for Court reporting. In addition, I am regularly on the on-call roster for crime scene examination.?

What qualification you have/what did you study???

I have a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Pathology (the University of Melbourne) , and a Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (La Trobe University). ??

In addition, I have qualifications obtained whilst on the job including having completed post graduate studies in “Biostatistics for Forensic DNA Profile Interpretation” (University of Washington)?

Why were you interested in joining FSD???

I wanted to use my scientific knowledge to assist the Police and Courts in keeping the community safe. Also, the role is unique and interesting in that the science is forever evolving and enabling us to go further with what we can do with the available evidence.?

Since beginning my career in Forensics in 2003, new technologies have been introduced that have constantly improved - quality, processing efficiency, and informative nature of the evidence available from alleged crimes. To name a few advancements - robots have been introduced for the processing of DNA samples, introduction of new DNA profiling systems have enhanced the discriminating power of the DNA evidence, the DNA database has gone national, and STRmix (DNA interpretation) software allows for interpretation of very complex DNA profiles that would otherwise not be able to be interpreted. ?

What do you most enjoy about the role???

I really enjoy Court reporting. Although it can be stressful, I enjoy the challenges it brings - it is a very rewarding part of my role. ??

Do you have a highlight in your career so far?

Travelling to Christchurch, New Zealand to undergo an intensive, five-day course in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with our New Zealand counterparts.??

What do you find difficult about the role???

When I first started training in scene work, I found one particular case very difficult as I could relate to the people involved (being just an ordinary family). With time, I have been able to learn to focus on the task at hand and the best way to interpret and process a scene. ?

Elizabeth Maffei - Forensic Officer – Ballistics Unit?

What qualification you have???

I previously worked as a finance officer at Forensics for 13 years. I started at FSD when I was 17-years-old, with no university education. I discovered that there was the potential to apply for a Forensic Officer role within ballistics, where I was successful in securing a position in 2020. Luckily there was no formal qualification needed to apply.?

What do you most enjoy about the role???

?I enjoy the variety and learning new things every day, no two days or cases are the same. Some cases can be simple and quick and others require extensive research. I thoroughly enjoy conducting in depth research and investigating to find out as much as possible about an exhibit, and to provide the judicial system with accurate and helpful information to assist them.?

Why were you interested in joining Victoria Police??

I have always respected the work police do, and I was very excited to gain a role that would support them in their work. During my time in finance, I was lucky enough to work with some great people and get exposure to the varied roles that forensics have on offer, but as a recreational clay target shooter, I was drawn to the ballistics unit. I was interested in the subject matter of the unit but also the role, the education they provided and the variety of functions the unit performs.?

?----------

If you’ve been inspired by any of the stories above and are interested in a career in forensic science, there are two main pathways that could lead to your dream job at Victoria Police’s Forensic Services Department: ?

• Study a science degree at university specialising in either chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology.?
• Join Victoria Police as a police officer.?

Sworn police officers can work and be trained in specialist areas such as:?

• Crime Scene Examination?
• Ballistics?
• Criminal Identification?
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological/Disaster Victim Identification Unit?
• Collision Reconstruction and Mechanical Investigation?

Learn more about science careers within Victoria Police’s Forensic Services Department here > Employment and students (police.vic.gov.au)?