New AFP forensic lab to solve crime faster in NSW
Editor’s note: Images from the launch are available via Hightail
The AFP has today launched its new cutting-edge Sydney forensic laboratory that will enable serious drug, weapons and child abuse crime to be solved more quickly in NSW.
Officially opened by Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw at the AFP’s Sydney headquarters today (2 March, 2023), the laboratory further bolsters the fight against serious organised crime in Australia’s biggest state.
The new forensics facility enables crime to be solved more quickly through:
- The ability to run simultaneous and multiple examinations, which is particularly important when a high-number of search warrants have been executed and a large volume of evidence has been seized;
- Multi-use forensic laboratories that allow multiple specialist disciplines (such as crime scenes and digital forensics) to work on seized exhibits concurrently;
- Additional technical capability that was not in the smaller laboratory, and
- Cutting-edge engineering technology that will make it easier to identify transitional serious organised criminals, plus offenders who share child abuse material.
The upgraded forensic precinct now spans an entire floor of the building after a renovation and extension of the previous facility. The new laboratories started operating in June 2022. The precinct includes advanced technologies to make the examination of seized drugs, chemicals and exhibits as safe as possible.
AFP Chief Scientific Officer Dr Simon Walsh said the new lab enabled forensic scientists to more quickly examine exhibits and uncover evidence, including identifying the chemical composition of drug seizures, recover evidence from badly damaged mobile phones, and link DNA recovered from crime scenes to persons of interest.
“While our previous forensic laboratory helped us secure many convictions, it was important that we future-proof one of our busiest headquarters with the space and tools it needed to continue the fight against crime,” Dr Walsh said.
“The new lab has already had a significant impact on our investigations. In one case, our scientists were able to extract components from a mobile phone that was badly damaged in a fire and recover important evidence.
“Previously, we may have requested assistance from a partner agency but sharing exhibits can be restricted because of operational security.
“Now we are able to provide a much-needed boost to AFP operations regionally and also work more collaboratively with our law enforcement partners here in NSW and interstate to help fight crime.”
The new digital forensics facilities not only allow the AFP to investigate the rising number of technology-enabled crimes, but to recover critical evidence from devices that have been accidentally, or deliberately, damaged prior to seizure by police.
The new workspace boasts a dedicated fingerprint lab that includes two darkrooms to ensure fluorescent prints taken from crime scenes can be easily photographed and uploaded to databases.
“Since June (2022), teams have undertaken forensic examinations for about 130 investigations across multiple crime types, including child protection, counter terrorism, cybercrime and drug importations,” Dr Walsh said.
“The new facility represents about a 75 per cent increase in physical space, but the implementation of advanced technology means it is a quantum leap in terms of capability gain.
“Earlier this year they were able to examine three hazardous concealments simultaneously, something that hasn’t been possible before given the space constraints.
“Forensic science is a critical part of the investigation process and can make or break a prosecution.
“Criminal investigations are becoming more complex as offenders also take advantage of new technology. These upgraded facilities has enabled the crime scenes team to increase the number of examinations done in the last six months of 2022, compared to the previous six months (first half of 2022).”
The Sydney forensics laboratory refit was delivered as part of the national forensics laboratory remediation program. Labs in all AFP regional headquarters were upgraded, funded by the AFP and the Australian Government.
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