forensic science honours and mphil projects
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School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Centre for Forensic Science
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Forensic Science Honours and MPhil Projects: Autumn 2022
OCTOBER RELEASE
(V 1)
Page 2
Contents
Application & Admission 3
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) 4
Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science 4
Commencing your project 5
Criminalistics 6
Environmental degradation of fibre properties: cleaning and contaminated fibres 7
Investigate and Model Persistence of Glass on Different Clothes 8
Modelling the transfer of fibres between items under damp conditions 9
Digital Forensic Science 10
Automatic Ink Classification Using Image Processing Techniques 11
Document Examination 12
First Australian ink target study 13
Fingermark Detection 15
Artificial fingermark for proficiency testing 16
Further investigation into the physical developer mechanism 17
An evaluation of contrast enhancement techniques for physical developer 18
Impact of De-sticking Agents on Latent Fingermark Development and Adhesive Analysis. 19
Forensic Biology & Genetics 20
An investigation of the optimal packaging methods to preserve biological evidence on exhibits 21
Shedder status: Fingerprints vs DNA 22
Random Projections for cryptic population structure 23
Forensic Intelligence 24
Utility of trace DNA beyond Court outcomes 25
Forensic Interpretation 26
Bayesian networks for assessing the relative probabilities of propositions for court room evidence 27
The use of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for analysing discrimination between probability densities as applied to Bayesian interpretation of court room evidence 29
Use of Bayesian Networks for Activity Level DNA Evidence Evaluation 30
Forensic Toxicology & Drug Detection 31
Biotransformation of benzodiazepines by putrefactive bacteria 32
Development of a software application to accommodate non-targeted screening strategies for new psychoactive substances 33
Development of a presumptive test for the detection of illicit fentanyl and its analogues 34
Wildlife Forensic Science 35
Rapid detection of tortoiseshell products 36
Fingerprinting for conservation: are marsupial fingerprints koalified for identification 38
General information Page 3
General information
The project proposals listed in this booklet are available to students enrolling in the Bachelor of
Forensic Science (Honours) (C09100) and Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science (C04393) courses.
All of the listed projects are designed to run for a standard 37 week academic calendar year. Autumn
intake projects commence on Monday 21 February 2022.
Students will gain direct training in the skills required for undertaking research in forensic science as
well as further developing their investigative and communication skills. Honours and MPhil degrees
offer the opportunity for students to undertake a research project within one of the research groups
at UTS or collaboratively with an external organisation. The aim of this research program is to produce
professional forensic scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific skills.
Application & Admission
There are two application processes for Honours courses in the Faculty of Science and these are
course-specific. Visit https://www.uts.edu.au/future-students/science/science-courses/honours-
courses for further information and to download the forms.
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) applicants will need to apply to the course by submitting a
UTS Direct Application Form. Direct application forms are due by 26 November 2021.
Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science applicants will need to lodge an internal course transfer
request with the Student Centre to transfer from their Master of Science / Master of Forensic Science
coursework degree. Internal course transfer requests for Autumn commencement must be made by
12 November 2021.
Applicants to both courses will also need to submit the supplementary Faculty of Science Honours
application form with their top three (3) project preferences listed in order. You only need to
complete sections 1-5. Prospective students are encouraged to speak to potential UTS supervisors
before selecting their projects (contact details are listed on each project proposal). Faculty of Science
supplementary application forms must be submitted to science.maps@uts.edu.au (cc to the Program
Director, xanthe.spindler@uts.edu.au).
Successful applicants to both degrees must have completed a UTS-recognised bachelor's degree in
forensic science at an appropriate level. Applicants to the Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
course must have attained at least a credit average (≥ 65) over the final two-thirds of their
undergraduate program. Successful applicants to the Master of Philosophy course should
demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and research potential (typically a distinction
average) to be considered for enrolment. Applicants typically complete 48 cp of coursework (1 year
full time equivalent) prior to commencing their research project.
More detailed information on the course structure and international admission requirements can be
found in the UTS Handbook.
General information Page 4
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
The course comprises 48 credit points of study across two academic stages. The major component of
the course is a research project that extends over the full duration of the course and normally takes
the form of an experimental investigation. The project is undertaken within one of the forensic
science research groups at UTS. Projects may also be undertaken in collaboration with an external
partner. Projects are chosen by the student, although first preferences cannot always be
accommodated. As part of the project, students undertake a critical review of the existing literature
in their research area and develop a research plan for the year.
The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are
formally assessed. Students may enrol in the course for Autumn or Spring intake. Other professional
development activities and seminars are scheduled throughout the year and will be advertised via the
Canvas subject sites.
Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
The Master of Philosophy provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake original research
and gain in-depth knowledge in their chosen discipline of forensic science. The project is undertaken
within one of the forensic science research groups at UTS. Projects may also be undertaken in
collaboration with an external partner. This course is designed to provide a scholarship pathway to
the PhD program.
The course requires 96 credit points of study, comprising 24 credit points of professional stream
subjects, a 24 cp major and a 48 cp intensive research component. The research project extends over
the final year and normally takes the form of an experimental, analytical or theoretical investigation.
As part of the project, students undertake a critical review of the existing literature in their research
area and develop a research plan for the year. The results of the project are presented in an oral
seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.
Please note that project availability is subject to change after the publication of this
booklet. It is worth speaking to prospective supervisors as new projects may become
available. New projects may be published in late October to early November.
General information Page 5
Commencing your project
Your project accounts for most or all of your study load for academic year and will involve active
experimental work, data analysis, reading literature, and writing. UTS safe work practices and the
Faculty of Science after hours work procedures encourage you to complete your laboratory work
during core office hours (weekdays 8 am – 6 pm) whenever possible. If you do need to perform
experimental work out-of-hours you should discuss any arrangements with your supervisor.
There is no set number of hours you need to be on campus or weekly timetable for research. A
standard 24cp session is approximately 420 hours of study (including self-directed work). We
recommend 48cp students be research-active 5 days per week. What you gain from your Honours
year is proportional to the effort you are willing to make. Most research groups have regular progress
meetings that involve project updates and paper reviews or presentations. The Centre for Forensic
Science also holds regular research seminars and meetings that are compulsory for research students.
You are expected to work with your supervisor to prepare a project plan in the initial weeks of
semester. Laboratory inductions and the risk management plan should be completed during the first
two weeks of your project as these processes are essential for gaining security access. Your supervisor
can provide you further guidance on how to schedule and complete your induction and risk
management plan.
Each research thesis subject will have a Canvas subject site that will be updated with the subject
outline and research support materials. It will also be the primary route of contact for the
Honours/MPhil program director to update you on upcoming seminars, events, and assessments.
Please note that the supervisory panels listed for each project are indicative only. Your
supervisory panel may change closer to the commencement of your project.
Page 6
Criminalistics
Criminalistics Page 7
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 1
Title Environmental degradation of fibre properties: cleaning and contaminated fibres
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
In the course of surveying international fibre practitioners for the development of
a fibre interpretation model project, concerns were raised about the potential
change in colour on fibres that had been recovered from particular environments
such as swamps. There are two possible solutions: either clean the fibres to
restore their original colour, or model their degradation to predict how the colour
and other properties may change.
The development and validation of an adequate cleaning method that does not
damage the fibres would be ideal - as this could potentially be generalised to any
other form of contamination - but it would also be fruitful to investigate the
degradation from other factors like sun exposure in a multifaceted series of
experiments.
Outline of
goals/objectives
Develop and validate a cleaning method that does not affect fibre properties, or,
failing that, model the degradation in an attempt to enable the inference of the
original parameters.
Industry/external
partner N/A
Special requirements N/A
UTS supervisor
Prof. Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
Matt Saunders (Matthew.Saunders@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Criminalistics Page 8
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 2
Title Investigate and Model Persistence of Glass on Different Clothes
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
Glass is an important trace type in forensic science and is very commonly found at
hit-and-run cases and burglaries. Various studies have been conducted to
understand how glass transfers from one surface to the other during a crime scene.
However, there is a gap in the understanding of how glass persists after the initial
transfer on a fabric over time and under varied conditions.
This project will focus on different clothing types - woven cotton t-shirt, loose-knit
jumper, tightly-knitted cotton hoodie, and different conditions – dry, damp,
saturated.
Experiments will be conducted in controlled environment to get the number of
different sized fragments that can be recovered from different clothing types under
the above-mentioned conditions at different time intervals. Upon collection of
relevant data, the data will be modelled to understand the factors affecting the
persistence of glass. The study will help in understanding the factors impacting
persistence of glass and the extent of the impact.
Potential for publication
Outline of
goals/objectives
• Design the experiment to collect glass fragments data in different scenarios.
(A)
• Run the experiments and count the number of glass fragments recovered in
the various pre-specified scenarios at different time intervals. (B)
• Investigate the different clothing under different dampness conditions using
the collected data. (C)
• Model the data to understand the factors impacting persistence of glass. (D)
• Compare the various models for different clothing types and different
dampness conditions. (E)
Industry/external
partner TBC
Special requirements N/A
UTS supervisor
Dr Anjali Gupta (Anjali.Gupta@uts.edu.au)
Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
Prof. Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Criminalistics Page 9
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 3
Title Modelling the transfer of fibres between items under damp conditions
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
In the course of surveying international fibre practitioners for the development of
a fibre interpretation model project, it emerged that there exist some concern
about the transfer of fibres between dampened objects - for instance, if a struggle
were to take place underwater or an assault were to take place in the rain. Some
research has taken place in related spaces, particularly the persistence of fibres in
standing and flowing water, but this does not resolve any questions regarding
how many fibres actually transferred the recipient item to begin with.
It would be valuable to investigate both a highly-controlled scenario to formally
model the impact of dampness, as well as a series of more realistic scenarios
involving simulated crimes to more accurately describe the expected range of
values of fibres to be transferred in a casework scenario where many variables are
unknown.
Outline of
goals/objectives
Model the effect of dampness on fibre transfer, and produce a dataset describing
the probability of transfer both from and onto a damp substrate.
Industry/external
partner N/A
Special requirements N/A
UTS supervisor Prof Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
Matt Saunders (Matthew.Saunders@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Page 10
Digital Forensic Science
Page 11
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
# 4
Title Automatic Ink Classification Using Image Processing Techniques
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Forensic document examination is one of the oldest field in forensic science. In
this field, a questioned document is examined to detect potential alteration of a
document, typically an addition or erasure. Ink entries are analysed and compared
using optical or chemical methods. The characteristics of the ink on the
document, such as ink color, plays an important role to differentiate inks.
Filtered light examination using Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) is routinely used
in the forensic document examination. Large number of images can be produced,
each under different sets of illumination and observation wavelength (up to 154
settings for the Projectina 6000 instrument). Given the large number of images,
manually classifying them based on their ink characteristics is a tedious job and
remains highly subjective. Automatic methods, which can classify the documents
from their images, would be a tremendous aid. The goal of this project is to
explore various image processing methods for classifying (scanned) images based
on the optical characteristics of the handwritten ink samples (e.g. luminescence,
absorption, reflection).
Image classification is a well-studied area. A number of techniques, mainly
machine learning-based approach, have been proposed to classify images based
on various features. Image classification, based on ink characteristics. However, it
is a new and challenging problem. The ink used for the handwriting on the image
can be of different shade and transparency. The background of the image can also
affect the classification result.
Outline of
goals/objectives
Explore various image processing methods for classifying images based on the
characteristics of the ink used in the handwritten notes on the images
Propose an automatic classification method that can work with various types of
inks and various types of handwritings
Special requirements N/A
Industry/external
partner University of Lausanne, Switzerland
UTS supervisor Dr Manoranjan Mohanty (Manoranjan.Mohanty@uts.edu.au)
Dr Sebastien Moret (Sebastien.Moret@uts.edu.au)
Prof Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Prof Céline Weyermann (Celine.Weyermann@unil.ch)
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☐ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Page 12
Document Examination
Page 13
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 5
Title First Australian ink target study
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
Comparison and discrimination of inks is a major part of forensic casework. There
is a need to better understand the discrimination and variability of ink
characteristics relevant to the Australian population. One of the most relevant
questions is what is the probability to find a ‘match’ by chance?
This project will adapt an approach that has been undertaken in another field of
forensic science (fibres) to answer such a question: perform an ink target study.
One or several very common pens will be selected. As much statistics (e.g. sales
figures) about these pens will be gathered. Ink standards will be generated using
these pens (target entries).
A large number of documents will be selected in the course of normal business of
an area that is dealing with a large cross section of ink entries (details to be
discussed).
The ink entries on these documents (unknown entries) will be compared to the
target entries using a regular protocol including optical examination, VSC and
MSP. TLC or other techniques could be used if time permits.
At the end of the examination, the number of non-differentiations will be
established. By extrapolation using the background data such as sales figures, it
will be possible to quantify the probability to obtain an ‘ink match’ in an
operational casework. As a result, this research will greatly assist the evaluation of
inks in forensic casework.
Good potential for publication.
Outline of
goals/objectives
• Generate ink specimens using pen sold in a mass manner. (A)
• Gather and generate documents in regular business (B).
• Compare A and B specimens using an established forensic science protocol
including optical examination, VSC, MSP, possibly TLC.
• Evaluate ink population frequency in Australia (compared to Thai and Swiss
populations).
• Several influencing factors could also be studied (pressure, time, paper).
Industry/external
partner Australian Federal Police (TBC)
Special
requirements Experience with video spectral comparator and microspectrophotometry
UTS supervisor Prof. Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
Dr Sebastien Moret (Sebastien.Moret@uts.edu.au)
Dr Anjali Gupta (Anjali.Gupta@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Prof. Celine Weyermann, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Page 14
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Page 15
Fingermark Detection
Fingermark detection Page 16
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
# 6
Title Artificial fingermark for proficiency testing
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Proficiency testing is a mainstay in forensic science, as it enables performance
assessment of a specific laboratory and well as compare performance with that of
other participants. Well-designed proficiency tests should closely mimic real-life
scenarios and allow interlaboratory comparisons. This is straightforward for
fingerprint comparison, however, designing proficiency tests for fingermark
detection is an arduous task. The main issue arises from the fact that fingermarks
are highly variable and that it is not possible to deposit the same mark twice. The
very nature of fingermark residue makes it impossible to verify the quality of the
deposited mark.
One way around those issues is to deposit artificial fingermark secretions using an
inkjet printer. This was successfully done last year at UTS while preparing
commercial proficiency tests. A simplistic artificial solution containing only amino
acids was use. It showed promising results, but suffered from various limitations
and issues. More research is warranted.
This project has great potential for publication or presentation at a conference.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The main goal of this project is to design a new proficiency test using a more
advanced artificial secretion solution, as well as to test the shelf life of the test.
Several types of solutions will have to be printed using an inkjet printer, processed
using commonly used fingermark detection technique and assessed against real
fingermarks.
The most promising solutions will then be tested in real laboratory conditions.
Special requirements N/A
Industry/external
partner Anna Davey (Forensic FoundationsTM)
UTS supervisor
Dr Sebastien Moret (Sebastien.Moret@uts.edu.au)
Romain Steiner (Romain.Steiner@uts.edu.au)
Prof. Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Fingermark detection Page 17
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
# 7
Title Further investigation into the physical developer mechanism
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
Research at UTS into the composition of latent fingermarks and the physical
developer mechanism has suggested PD reacts with a fingermark emulsion [1].
The potential formation of an emulsion was recently observed by Dorakumbura et
al. [2], although some debate exists as to whether this is a true emulsion or a
layering of sebaceous and eccrine components as stated in classical fingermark
residue theory. The type of emulsion (oil in water or water in oil), its stability and
ability to invert or “break” over time is unknown.
Furthermore, unlike other metal deposition techniques, PD is only recommended
on porous substrates. Fingermarks on non-porous surfaces treated with PD have
previously been observed to produce one of two results: silver chloride staining or
the formation of small floating silver colloids that dissipate as soon as the
substrate is removed. These observations suggest that paper is necessary for the
PD reaction but the exact relationship is yet to be determined.
[1] de la Hunty, M., Moret, S., Chadwick, S., Lennard, C., Spindler, X., & Roux, C. (2015).
Understanding physical developer (PD): part II–is PD targeting eccrine constituents?.
Forensic science international, 257, 488-495.
[2] Dorakumbura, B. N., Boseley, R. E., Becker, T., Martin, D. E., Richter, A., Tobin, M. J., ...
& Lewis, S. W. (2018). Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent
fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy. Analyst, 143(17), 4027-4039.
Outline of
goals/objectives
This project aims to improve understanding of the physical developer mechanism
by:
• Determining whether paper (cellulose) fibres are necessary for PD
development by testing a variety of standard, modified and non-cellulose
papers.
• Examining the nature of the fingermark deposit through chemical changes
after different steps in the process.
Industry/external
partner N/A
Special requirements Student must be comfortable with physical developer and analytical or organic
chemistry.
UTS supervisor Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Fingermark detection Page 18
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 8
Title An evaluation of contrast enhancement techniques for physical developer
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
Physical developer is a reliable non-luminescent technique for the detection of
aged latent fingermarks on dry and wetted porous surfaces. However, a
fundamental drawback to the technique is the low contrast produced by the grey-
to-black silver particles on some surfaces. Several methods of contrast
enhancement have been proposed in the past, including near infrared imaging,
bleaching, and radiolabelling. A recent publication by the UK Home Office Centre
for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) used photographic blue toning to
successfully improve the contrast of PD developed fingermarks up to 90 years old
on bank cheques [1]. There are numerous other photographic toning solutions (e.g.
sepia and red toning) and related chemistries that could potentially be used to
extend the colour palette.
[1] Bleay, S., Fitzgerald, L., Sears, V., & Kent, T. (2019). Visualising the past–An evaluation of
processes and sequences for fingermark recovery from old documents. Science & Justice,
59(2), 125-137.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The overall aim of this project is to evaluate contrast enhancement techniques for
physical developer on a variety of wet and dry porous substrates. The specific
objectives are:
• To compare photographic toning (blue, red, sepia), near IR imaging, and
bleaching as contrast agents for PD developed fingermarks on different
surfaces.
• To evaluate the use of “homemade” toning solutions in place of commercial
versions.
• To determine the best detection sequence for different substrates and
environmental conditions.
Industry/external
partner N/A
Special requirements N/A
UTS supervisor Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Fingermark detection Page 19
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 9
Title Impact of De-sticking Agents on Latent Fingermark Development and Adhesive Analysis.
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
In certain cases involving adhesive tapes, the adhesive may need to be removed
from a surface using different types of de-sticking agents. A number of studies
have found that these de-sticking agents have no negative impact on fingermark
enhancement, however most of these studies have been conducted in the US and
Australian Adhesive tapes have shown to have different compositions to US tapes.
Similarly these studies have also only focussed on the fingermark development,
not the subsequent analysis and classification of the tape.
Previous research conducted at UTS and FASS has explored the impact that
different fingermark chemicals have on the subsequent tape analysis. This work
found that cyanoacrylate had a negative impact on rubber adhesive tape analysis
by FTIR, whereas WetWop had no negative impact on any type of tape.
With the addition of the de-sticking agents, this may further alter the results.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The aim of this work is to:
• Test a range of different de-sticking agents on their ability to remove
adhesives from a range of surfaces
• Determine the impact (if any) these de-sticking agents have on subsequent
tape or fingermark analysis
Special requirements Student should have experience in using FTIR and understand a range of different
fingermark development techniques.
Industry/external
partner
UTS supervisor Dr Scott Chadwick (Scott.Chadwick@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Dr Joanna Bunford
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Page 20
Forensic Biology & Genetics
Forensic Biology & Genetics Page 21
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 10
Title An investigation of the optimal packaging methods to preserve biological evidence on exhibits
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Packaging an exhibit appropriately at the crime scene is crucial to maintain the
integrity of any evidence on that exhibit. This is not only to prevent
contamination, but also to preserve the evidence. However, the types of
packaging used for particular exhibits, such as bottles and knives, vary among
police forces, and there is a paucity of published empirical data to underpin the
use of different types. In addition, published studies have shown that trace
evidence (such as DNA, glass and pollen) on items that are packaged can
redistribute to different locations on the item and to the inside of the packaging.
Questions are therefore raised as to which method of packaging can best
preserve the integrity of trace evidence and minimise its relocation. This
proposed project focuses on the preservation of biological evidence deposited by
touch, using Diamond Dye to detect and quantify the cellular material present.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The aims of this project are to:
• Investigate the effect of packaging an exhibit on the integrity of cellular
material deposited by touch on the exhibit
• Examine the redistribution of cellular material between areas on an exhibit,
and between the exhibit and the inside of the packaging, when different
packaging methods are used
• Investigate the best methods to package specific exhibits (e.g. knives, bottles,
tool etc) to preserve cellular material deposited by touch
Special requirements Human ethical approval and laboratory facilities for staining and visualising cellular
material using Diamond Dye.
Industry/external
partner TBC
UTS supervisor Dr Georgina Meakin (georgina.meakin@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor TBC
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☐ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Forensic Biology & Genetics Page 22
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 11
Title Shedder status: Fingerprints vs DNA
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
For as long as fingerprinting has been a technique used in forensic science, it has
been observed that the propensity to leave a recoverable fingermark varies among
individuals. Similarly, when forensic DNA profiling was still in its infancy, it was
observed that the quantity of DNA, and the quality of the resultant DNA profile,
deposited on a surface through touch also varies among individuals. For DNA
profiling, it is common to group individuals according to their propensity to deposit
DNA through touch, known as their ‘shedder status’. Individuals tend to be
grouped as either: good, intermediate, or poor shedders. However, does this
grouping also work when referring to fingermark deposition? Is there a
relationship between an individual’s ability to deposit DNA and recoverable
fingermarks? These are the kinds of questions that this project seeks to answer
through collation and analysis of published experimental data.
Outline of
goals/objectives
This project will employ a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to
address the following aims, to:
• Identify the optimal method of grouping individuals according to their ability to deposit fingermarks and DNA
• Establish whether there is a correlation (positive or negative) between an individual’s ability to deposit fingermarks and DNA
Special requirements None
Industry/external
partner N/A
UTS supervisor Dr Georgina Meakin (Georgina.Meakin@uts.edu.au)
Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Forensic Biology & Genetics Page 23
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 12
Title Random Projections for cryptic population structure
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Short tandem repeat (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) profiling
of DNA can help in associating or disassociating people, objects, and places with
each other and with crimes. In the absence of a matching profile, other
information could be extracted from the DNA that might assist forensic
investigators to an offender. One of the pieces of information that can be
valuable to forensic investigators is about biogeographical ancestry (BGA).
Inference of BGA requires knowledge of the genetic structure of populations. In
the past, multidimensional scaling (MDS) or principal component analysis (PCA)
have been used to explore population structure. Human populations feature both
discrete and continuous patterns of variation. Current analysis approaches
struggle to jointly identify these patterns from commonly used forensic genetic
markers because of modelling assumptions, mathematical constraints, or
numerical challenges. It is not difficult to understand the challenges due to high-
dimensional data especially in the scenarios where the number of observations is
less than the number of dimensions.
Outline of
goals/objectives
Random projections is a method that is gaining popularity in the field of Machine
Learning and is used to manage high-dimensional data, as well as for clustering
and classification problems. This project will explore the method of random
projections, a method that makes no assumptions about the data, to short
tandem repeat (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotype
datasets to reveal subpopulations that are not otherwise obvious.
Special requirements Mathematical aptitude, R and RStudio experience
Industry/external
partner N/A
UTS supervisor Dr. Anjali Gupta (Anjali.Gupta@uts.edu.au)
Prof. Dennis McNevin (Dennis.McNevin@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☐ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Page 24
Forensic Intelligence
Forensic Intelligence Page 25
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
# 13
Title Utility of trace DNA beyond Court outcomes
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
The effectiveness of forensic science has always been difficult to quantify. There
has been research into using the predictive power of trace processing on
outcomes to measure effectiveness (Baskin & Sommers, 2010), as well as
examining how people can effectively use forensic services to produce appropriate
justice outcomes (Julian et al, 2011). However, common indicators, especially the
number of identifications, are often too restrictive to provide a complete appraisal
of forensic science. There has been little success in creating a standard measure
for the effectiveness of forensic traces in an investigation or in intelligence.
Over the years, there has been a significant shift in policing to prioritise the use of
traces in the investigative phase and for intelligence purposes. However, the value
of these traces in the investigative and intelligence phase is still not fully
understood. Given that trace DNA is ubiquitous and commonly collected on crime
scenes, a pilot project focusing on the value of trace DNA would provide a starting
point to assess what investigative strategies and surface types have the most value
within investigations and for intelligence purposes.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the usefulness of trace
DNA for investigative and intelligence purposes. In particular, the project aims to
determine if the current standard practices in regard to the collection and analysis
of trace DNA are yielding useful profiles that provide value to investigations and
intelligence.
The particular objectives are:
- To extract case data related to all crime types where trace DNA was collected (over a 2-year period)
- To determine whether trace DNA was useful (e.g. link to a person (victim, POI, other); eliminated a POI; linked persons or scenes; linked cases)
- To provide recommendations on the current standard practices
Special requirements N/A
Industry/external
partner
The project will be conducted in collaboration with New South Wales Police Force
(NSWPF) and the Forensic and Analytical Science Service (FASS)
UTS supervisor Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
Marie Morelato (Marie.Morelato@uts.edu.au)
Georgina Meakin (Georgina.Meakin@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Jennifer Raymond, Stephanie Hales and other staff from FASS/NSWPF
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Page 26
Forensic Interpretation
Forensic interpretation Page 27
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 14
Title Bayesian networks for assessing the relative probabilities of propositions for court room evidence
Nature of problem
work is intended to
address
A likelihood ratio (LR) can be produced for a single item of evidence. However,
this is rarely the case. A typical criminal trial involves multiple evidence items
(exhibits) and other relevant information, none of them independent in that they
must be combined (by the court) to assess guilt or innocence. How can the LRs
for multiple evidence items and other information be combined? A technique
gaining currency is the use of Bayesian networks where the output from one or
more Bayesian nodes forms the input for one or more other nodes. This allows
an overall LR to be calculated for an event. For example, consider the following
propositions:
• H1: The defendant (A) handled the weapon
• H2: The defendant (A) shook hands with another person (B) who handled
the weapon
• The LR for these propositions is a combination of other pairs of
propositions:
• H3: The DNA profile (evidence) recovered from the weapon is derived from
the defendant (A)
• H4: The DNA profile (evidence) recovered from the weapon is derived from
a random member of the population
• Also:
• H5: The DNA recovered from the weapon (evidence) was a result of direct
handling of the weapon by the defendant (A)
• H6: The DNA recovered from the weapon (evidence) was a result of
secondary transfer from the defendant A to person B and then from person
B to the weapon
Propositions H1 to H6 can be assembled into a Bayesian network in order to
estimate an LR for H1 and H2. However, the precision of the LR depends on the
data used to populate the network which may or may not be available and which
may have uncertainty associated with it. Similar propositions can be considered
with other traces and situations, for example gunshot residues, fibres and other
microtraces, even fingermarks. Activity level evaluation has become a challenge
in forensic science.
Outline of
goals/objectives
This project will involve a theoretical exploration of Bayesian networks for
forensic applications with a focus on sensitivity analysis to assess the applicability
of Bayesian networks to common forensic scenarios. There is potential to team
up with one of the existing PhD students in the trace evidence area.
Industry/external
partner N/A
Special requirements This project requires mathematical aptitude.
Forensic interpretation Page 28
UTS supervisor
Prof. Claude Roux (Claude.Roux@uts.edu.au)
Dr Anjali Gupta (Anjali.Gupta@uts.edu.au)
+ others depending on selected trace
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Forensic interpretation Page 29
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 15
Title
The use of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for analysing discrimination between probability densities as applied to Bayesian interpretation of court room evidence
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves are used to determine the
discrimination potential of a binary classification where the classification is based
on a threshold. They can be used to investigate the behaviour of the likelihood
ratio (LR) applied to a particular forensic test where the LR is used as a
discriminator of true support for the prosecution proposition (true positive rate)
and false support for the prosecution proposition (false positive rate). The area
under the ROC curve (AUC) is an indicator of the performance of the LR under
various scenarios.
In forensic science, this approach has been used to assess the performance of
algorithms for the prediction of pigmentation traits like eye colour from genotype
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187249731100144X),
algorithms to predict ancestry from genotype
(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00414-016-1504-3) and has been
recommended as an approach to assess probabilistic genotyping algorithms
(https://vb6ykw2twb15uf9341ls5n11-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/07/5.-John-Butler-ISHI-29-Presentation.pdf). However, it
could be applied to any forensic discipline where an LR is involved and for which
experimental “ground truth” data exists, thus providing experimental probability
densities for true and false support for a prosecution hypothesis.
Outline of
goals/objectives
This project will involve the development of a mathematical formalism for the use
of ROC curves to assess the performance of any forensic test producing a LR for
weight of evidence.
Special requirements Mathematical aptitude
Industry/external
partner N/A
UTS supervisor Prof. Dennis McNevin (Dennis.McNevin@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Forensic interpretation Page 30
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 16
Title Use of Bayesian Networks for Activity Level DNA Evidence Evaluation
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
When evaluating DNA traces, a forensic scientist formulates propositions to
address questions concerning who the DNA came from (sub-source level), who the
biological material came from (source level) and how/when did the DNA/biological
material get there (activity level). Activity level evaluation of DNA is very complex
due to the vast number of variables that impact DNA transfer and persistence. To
accommodate these variables within a specific case, Bayesian Networks (BNs) are
being employed in several jurisdictions across the world to underpin activity level
evaluations. BNs are probabilistic graphical models consisting of variables which
help display and conduct complex probability evaluations, as they allow multiple
factors based on probabilistic dependencies to be linked together. The outcome
of such a BN for the activity level evaluation of DNA is a likelihood ratio (LR) that
provides the evidential weight for the DNA findings at the activity level. However,
the LR calculated is completely dependent on the probabilities inputted into the
BN and how that BN has been constructed, meaning that the evidential weight of
DNA evidence is dependent on the decisions that the forensic scientist makes
when constructing the BN. These include deciding which elements of provided
case information to include, what assumptions to make, what experimental data to
use, when to rely on personal belief from casework experience, etc. This project
builds on a previous internship to investigate these dependencies, and the impact
of varying these, in the use of BNs to evaluate DNA evidence given activity level
propositions.
Outline of
goals/objectives
This project makes use of the HUGIN Expert software for BN construction and
available case data to address the following aims, to:
• Construct BNs for activity level evaluation of DNA in already tried cases.
• Investigate the sensitivity of BNs to changes in the decisions made during their construction (e.g. changes in data inputted, assumptions made, etc).
• Compare and contrast the magnitude of the BN-calculated LRs to those presented in the tried cases.
Special requirements This project requires mathematical aptitude, particularly regarding probabilities,
and the ability to learn how to use HUGIN Expert software
Industry/external
partner N/A
UTS supervisor Dr Georgina Meakin (Georgina.Meakin@uts.edu.au)
Prof Dennis McNevin (Dennis.McNevin@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☐ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Page 31
Forensic Toxicology & Drug Detection
Forensic toxicology & drug profiiling Page 32
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 17
Title Biotransformation of benzodiazepines by putrefactive bacteria
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Post-mortem destruction of drugs and metabolites during the putrefaction
process represents an ongoing challenge for forensic toxicological investigations.
Putrefactive bacteria are among the microorganisms involved in putrefaction. This
project aims to investigate if benzodiazepines, a class of addictive drugs with
sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties, are susceptible
to biotransformation mediated by putrefactive bacteria.
Outline of
goals/objectives
Learn to culture putrefactive bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus
aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumoniae which will be used in the
study.
• Investigate susceptibility of benzodiazepines such as oxazepam and
temazepam to biodegradation by the above bacteria.
• Extract biodegradation products of benzodiazepines from the culture
medium
• Perform method validation and product analysis by LC-MS/MS.
Special requirements Bacteria experiments will be conducted in a PC2 laboratory at UTS and training for
bacteria handling will be provided.
Industry/external
partner Shanxi Medical University, China
UTS supervisor Prof. Shanlin Fu (Shanlin.Fu@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Prof. Keming Yun
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Forensic toxicology & drug profiiling Page 33
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
# 18
Title Development of a software application to accommodate non-targeted screening strategies for new psychoactive substances
Description of problem
work is intended to
address
In the last decade, over 1000 new psychoactive substances (NPS) have appeared
on the market globally with approximately one new drug emerging per week. This
has made it challenging for routine forensic laboratories who monitor these
compounds, to develop, maintain and validate mass spectrometry (MS) methods
that target these compounds. In an effort to improve the detectability of NPS
when structures are unknown, non-targeted screening strategies have been
developed by previous researchers under Prof Shanlin Fu. These have included
product ion searching, mass defect filtering (MDF) and Kendrick mass defect (KMD)
analysis. The success and applicability of these strategies, however, is heavily
dependent on the native mass spectrometry software used by a particular
laboratory.
While data files that are acquired from different MS vendors are, by default, in a
closed and proprietary format, accessible formats have been made available such
as mzXML, mzData and mzML to facilitate data sharing in the proteomics field. In
addition to being accessible, they are also readable using programming languages
and thus can be processed at the user’s discretion. Python, a programming
language, has a number of existing libraries which can facilitate the reading and
viewing of the mentioned file types.
This project aims to develop an application which can handle generic MS files and
implement the previously developed non-targeted screening strategies for NPS.
Outline of
goals/objectives
1. To develop a Python application which can read, process and view mzXML, mzData and/or mzML files;
2. To implement one or multiple of the previously developed non-targeted screening strategies, and;
3. To evaluate the application on authentic anti-doping samples.
Special requirements
This project requires the use of the Python programming language, therefore,
experience or a keen interest in learning a programming language is highly
preferred.
Industry/external
partner Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory
UTS supervisor Prof Shanlin Fu (Shanlin.Fu@uts.edu.au)
External supervisors Dr Daniel Pasin
Dr Adam Cawley
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
Forensic toxicology & drug profiiling Page 34
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 19
Title Development of a presumptive test for the detection of illicit fentanyl and its analogues
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Novel synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its analogues, are becoming more
prevalent throughout the illicit drug market. Their abuse potential has
dramatically increased in parallel with the increase of overdose deaths and
misuse. These dangerously potent opioids are often sold and found in samples of
other drugs such as heroin and cocaine, increasing the risk associated with use
and contributing to the opioid crisis.
Colour based presumptive tests are simple and rapid methods that are used in
field settings to provide information about the contents of an unknown
substance. While there has been some investigation into the use of other colour
test reagents such as the marquis reagent for fentanyl detection, there has been
no research into the use of these tests for other fentanyl analogues. The
development of a presumptive test method that can be used on-site is crucial for
law enforcement and harm reduction services to identify these potent drugs.
Previous work at UTS has explored the development of both a solution based and
paper-based presumptive colour test method for this purpose. The exploration of
two reagents that provide colour changes with fentanyl and a range of analogues
has been completed. However, further optimisation and validation of these
methods is required to create a field ready test. In particular, further study into
the mechanism of reaction, selectivity and reagent stability and the design of a
simple and portable device is required.
Outline of
goals/objectives
To use the results of the previous studies on the fentanyl colour test methods to:
1. Optimise and validate a field ready presumptive test kit 2. Apply the developed method to real case samples if available
Special requirements Access to wet-lab and chemical instrumentation (GC-MS, UV-Vis, FTIR, NMR)
Detailed risk assessment regarding the use of opioids and the management plan
for the use of Naloxone if necessary.
Industry/external
partner N/A
UTS supervisor
Shanlin Fu (Shanlin.Fu@uts.edu.au)
Laura Clancy (Laura.Clancy@uts.edu.au)
Morgan Alonzo (Morgan.Alonzo@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor N/A
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Page 35
Wildlife Forensic Science
Wildlife Page 36
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 20
Title Rapid detection of tortoiseshell products
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
Illegal poaching causes great harm to species diversity and conservation. A huge
amount of money is involved in the trade of illegal or forged animal parts
worldwide. A major issue in the enforcement of wildlife trafficking is the lack of a
rapid and accurate method to distinguish legal from illegal wildlife parts. Rapid
identification can greatly assist law enforcement to prosecute offenders, thus
preventing future wildlife crimes. One potential avenue is the use of infrared
analysis and chemical odour profiling, similar to conservation canines. The benefit
of using a chemical method over detection dogs is the ability for the instrument
approach to be cheaper, less subjected to errors and have longer working times.
Tortoiseshell has long been a popular material used in the production of jewellery,
home goods, furniture and so on, tortoiseshell was traditionally made from the
shell of hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and it has been estimated
that 9 million hawksbills have been traded for their shells in the last 150 years. As a
consequence of this trade, Hawksbills are now critically endangered and have been
listed under CITES appendix I, banning all trade in these products. While plastics
have been used to make faux tortoiseshell products for many years, hawksbill
poaching still continues, and often it is hard to distinguish faux and real
tortoiseshell visually. This project will chemically profile tortoiseshell products
supplied by the Australian Museum, both real (confirmed via previous DNA
analysis) and faux. The goal of the projects it to determine if infrared technology
and odour profiling can be used to determine the legitimacy of tortoiseshell
products. Additionally the project will assist in building a database of odour profiles
for trafficked wildlife parts into and out of Australia. This database will provide the
basis for the creation of a portable electronic device for the rapid in-field
identification of illegal wildlife species.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The goals of this project are as follows:
• To analyse tortoiseshell products using FTIR
• To create a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the analysis
of volatile compounds produced by tortoiseshell products
• To apply statistical analysis to determine real samples from fake products
• To add to the database of illegally traded wildlife odour profiles
Special requirements N/A
Industry/external
partner Australian Museum
UTS supervisor Dr Maiken Ueland (Maiken.Ueland@uts.edu.au)
A/Prof. Barbara Stuart (Barbara.Stuart-1@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor Dr Greta Frankham
Wildlife Page 37
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☐ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☐ Crime Scene ☐ Digital
Wildlife Page 38
Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) & Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
# 21
Title Fingerprinting for conservation: are marsupial fingerprints koalified for identification
Description of
problem work is
intended to address
The koala is a charismatic, primarily arboreal species whose conservation status
has been recently classified as “Vulnerable” in New South Wales, Queensland, and
the Australian Capital Territory due to substantial population declines, threatened
habitat, and the extensive Black Summer (2019-20) bushfires. Many technological
advances have allowed for population monitoring of koalas (e.g. drones [1], radio
collars [2], ear tagging and microchipping [3]). However, these methods are both
expensive and ineffective for the identification of individuals long-term. Without
definitive individual identification, the long-term outcomes of rehabilitation (i.e.
recovery, survival, or mortality) post-release are limited.
A potential avenue for rapid identification of koalas is fingerprinting. The unique
characteristics that are used to distinguish human individuals using fingerprints are
present in koala fingerprints [4]. Preliminary research has demonstrated that
individuals differ but has only been conducted on very small populations.
Fingerprint capture, and even potentially fingermark detection, are non-invasive
techniques that could be used to cheaply track populations over several months or
years. [1] Hamilton, G., Corcoran, E., Denman, S., Hennekam, M. E., & Koh, L. P. (2020). Biological
Conservation, 247.
[2] Radford, S. L., McKee, J. E. F. F., Goldingay, R. L., & Kavanagh, R. P. (2006). Australian Mammalogy,
28(2), 187-200.
[3] Matthews, A., Lunney, D., Gresser, S., & Maitz, W. (2007). Wildlife Research, 34(2), 84-93.
Nichols, J. D., & Williams, B. K. (2006). Trends in ecology & evolution, 21(12), 668-673.
[4] Henneberg, M., Lambert, K. M., & Leigh, C. M. (1998). In Proceedings of the Conference of the
Australian and New Zealand International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences 1996.
Outline of
goals/objectives
The main objectives of this pilot study are to:
• Determine the best fingerprint collection method (direct and passive).
• Categorise koala fingerprints and determine population frequencies.
• Apply existing statistical models to determine the variability of koala
fingerprints.
This project will assist in developing better approaches to koala health,
management and conservation strategies.
Special requirements Requires animal research ethics approval (in progress). May require car travel.
Industry/external
partner Australian Reptile Park
UTS supervisor Amber Brown (Amber.Brown@student.uts.edu.au)
Dr Xanthe Spindler (Xanthe.Spindler@uts.edu.au)
External supervisor TBC from ARP koala team
Wildlife Page 39
This project is suitable for graduates of the following discipline areas:
☒ Biology ☒ Chemistry ☒ Crime Scene ☒ Digital
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