Student research opportunities

The Centre for Forensic Science (CFS) seeks students interested in addressing the following main focus areas:

Foresic science students will learn to use science and technology to fight crime and terrorism.

Research Program (Seminars)

The four identified research programs of the CFS include the following major projects:

DNA and forensic biology:

  • evaluating the role and impact of forensic DNA profiling in the criminal justice system (including DNA statistics)
  • inferring phenotypic and ancestry intelligence from autosomal and Y-chromosome SNP analyses
  • forensic anatomy
  • forensic entomology.

Toxicology and illicit drugs:

  • illicit drug profiling for intelligence and evidence purposes
  • elucidation of the role of morphine metabolites in deaths from morphine poisoning
  • detection of peptide hormone used as sports doping agents
  • use of novel methods to detect biochemical changes following exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances.

Forensic analytical chemistry:

  • hyperspectral (chemical) imaging of forensic samples
  • pre-blast and post-blast explosive residue technologies
  • development of forensic portable instrumentation.

Fingerprints and other physical evidence:

  • development of new fingerprint detection methods using nanotechnology
  • development of a 'fingerprint standard' for QA purposes
  • statistical evidential value of fingerprints
  • evidential value of various types of forensic in the Australian context.

Student Support

The holistic approach of the Centre for Forensic Science, combined with its unique staff expertise and networks, give a distinctive profile to forensic science at UTS. Students will be involved in exciting research and will have access to unique purpose-built facilities, as well as leading researchers in the discipline.

Further information

On applying to study at UTS as a postgraduate research student: