Currently I am a teacher at the Canberra Institute of Technology, however I am going to answer questions in relation to my previous position as a Crime Scene Investigator with the Australian Federal

 Police (AFP).

A typical relaxing afternoon for Simone

About the Department AFP – Crime Scene Investigators employed by the AFP support community policing investigations (e.g. burglary, armed robbery, assault, suicide, murder, industrial accidents) in the ACT in addition to supporting national and international investigations including people smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism. AFP Crime Scene Investigators may also assist authorities internationally with terrorism investigations and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) after major disasters (e.g. Boxing Day Asian Tsunami).

Job description... To plan, conduct and coordinate complex forensic investigations. Forensic investigations require the use of many different evidence recording, collecting and examination techniques including photography, physical and chemical enhancement of marks (e.g. fingerprints, shoemarks, bloodstains), casting shoemarks and toolmarks and so on. These techniques may be conducted in the field on large immovable items or in the controlled environment of a laboratory for smaller transportable items. On rare occasions a scene reconstruction may be conducted. This is generally required when there is some confusion relating to a sequence of events that may have taken place during an ‘incident’. Upon completion of the investigation Crime Scene Investigators must also provide accurate forensic evidence to the courts.

Background... I was born in Greensborough, Victoria. However, my father was in the Defence Force so before age 10 I had lived in Melbourne, Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney and then Canberra. I completed most of my early schooling in Sydney and Canberra finishing year 12 in 1989. I commenced a Bachelor of Education the next year at the University of Canberra, but after two years into the degree I decided teaching wasn’t for me. I changed into a Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science) followed by Honours in Immunology and Microbiology (the development of separation and purification protocols for the outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Career history... Upon completion of honours in 1995 I was all prepared to follow the natural ‘academic’ path and commence a PhD the following year (continuing research I had commenced during my honours year). My parents however, being practical people, discouraged this. They strongly encouraged me to get out and see what the ‘real’ world was like – and so I did. I turned down two decent PhD projects and started job hunting. Within two weeks the University of Canberra offered me a six month contract as a laboratory technician for their microbiology subjects. I accepted the job and saved all the money I earned. Upon completion of the contract I went backpacking for 3 months in Canada and USA. A couple of weeks after returning to Australia I was offered another short-term contract with the ACT Government Analytical Laboratories (ACTGAL) as a microbiologist (water testing). After about 8 months ACTGAL couldn’t renew my contract and kindly arranged for me to move across to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a microbiologist testing non-sterile pharmaceutical and disinfectant efficacy. Within three months I was made permanent. I lasted two years at TGA before the mundane routine drove me to the employment section of the paper again, and I saw that the AFP was advertising for Crime Scene Investigators. I applied, and much to my surprise (having absolutely no forensic experience) was successful. I was with the AFP for five and a half years during which time I was involved in a number of complex cases within Canberra and overseas including the Bali Bombings in 2002. In 2004 the pace was a little too fast and I felt I needed a break. Subsequently, I had a crazy snap and joined the ACT Fire Brigade. This moment of insanity lasted only eight months. I left the Fire Brigade in 2005 and have been teaching the crime scene investigation subjects at the CIT for the past 18 months with the view of returning to the AFP in the very near future.

Have you encountered negative stereotyping? I really don’t have a strong or extensive ‘academic’ background so I didn’t encounter much in the way of negative stereotyping during my time with the ACT and Commonwealth Departments of Health. Interestingly though, I did have trouble for the first six to 12 months with the AFP. I was one (in a group of eight) of the first civilian crime scene investigators employed by the AFP in 1999 and one of the first with a science degree and first class honours. Prior to 1999 sworn police officers showing an interest in forensics were transferred across and there were no academic requirements. As such, we were labelled as impractical academics who have no experience in a law enforcement environment. It took time, but this perception was slowly eroded away.

Best/worst job aspects? The best aspect: I think I have learnt more about the ‘real’ world than my parents ever expected. I have met so many wonderful people. Variety. There is nothing mundane about forensic work. Every day, every job is different and you are free to think and form opinions and your opinions are valued. The worst aspect: If you are not careful, the ‘dark’ side of forensic work can creep up on you. Dealing with angry, emotional and/or strange people daily can be draining. Most crime scene investigators (and police in general) don’t like attending incidents involving children. They are very upsetting. Also, court can be incredibly stressful and horribly damaging to one’s self-esteem.

Staying in touch with science... I join groups like WISENET and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society. I also read ‘popular’ science magazines in addition to more technical forensic journals. It is hard to find time to do this though. In my experience, work demands generally take precedence over self-development in the public service.

Gender balance at work... The gender balance in Forensic Services has tipped in recent years from a male dominated work environment to roughly 50/50 in the AFP, largely because they have an equity and diversity policy that is strongly supported by staff.

Advice for beginners... Be strong. Work smart. Stand-up for what you believe in. Have courage to take on new challenges and have faith that you will do a good job. Most importantly, don’t get sucked into the forensic black hole. It’s very easy to take on more work than you can handle. It sneaks up on you. Make time for the things you enjoy and learn to laugh at life!

How do you relax? I am a keen sports person. I participate in marathon and ultra marathon kayak races and strange as it may seem, I find this relaxing. I am also a ‘fish freak’. I love water ecology and have a mini-reef aquarium. Among the inhabitants of the aquarium are two clownfish who have forced me to raise their children (hundreds of them!). Although, I wouldn’t say raising a hundred or so clownfish juveniles is all that relaxing. I must admit, I also love motorcycles. I have a red and black Honda CBR 600. If I need to relax and clear the mind, I get the bike out and take the ‘long way’ to wherever I’m going.