FRoM CoMMissioneR ATKinson - Queensland Police Service ...

that have disappeared from
view.
Sergeant Leitch said the
advantage of using the
invisible wavelengths was
that it filtered out unwanted
information.
“UV light has a very short
wavelength and it doesn’t
penetrate as far into the
skin as visible light does,”
Sergeant Leitch said.
“This means we can isolate
and photograph the
image at the surface of the
skin, disregarding all the
information below it.
“We monitored a bite mark
on a police officer that had
completely disappeared
from sight. After 57 days,
using UV techniques, we
could photograph the bite
mark detail to a degree of
accuracy where features were
identifiable to a forensic
dental expert.
“Infrared light, on the
other hand, has a very long
wavelength and penetrates
deep into the skin. This
allows us to disregard all the
information visible to the
naked eye and photograph
evidence deeper down, such
as a tattoo that has been
removed by laser.”
Sergeant Leitch said the
technique could be used to
corroborate specific events,
such as an injury that had
healed.
are searching for so we can
corroborate the witness’s
version of events,” he said.
Photographic Section
members are researching a
number of new technologies
such as facial recognition
software and 3D modelling for
crime scenes, however one
new project that is already
proving its worth is Visual
Imaging Comparison (VIC).
While most businesses have
CCTV installed, the images
are often too poor a quality
to identify an offender with
any certainty. Sergeant
Brett Schnitzerling has
been analysing footage to
optimise its evidential value to
investigations.
“CCTV footage may help us
identify a particular brand of
shoes, but it doesn’t prove
they were the ones worn
by the suspect,” Sergeant
Schnitzerling said.
“What we’ve been working
on is picking up unique
indicators on clothing or items
that, if found in the suspect’s
possession, will provide proof
they were at the scene.”
The skill required for this work
lies in being able to spot
irregularities and then being
able to rule out if the artefact
was caused by the recording
equipment or some other sort
of interference. It requires
an expert knowledge of
digital recording technology
and Sergeant Schnitzerling
has built up considerable
expertise in this field.
Electronic Recording
Section
The enhancement of poor
quality video and audio
recordings forms the basis of
case file work performed by
members of the Electronic
Recording Section (ERS).
These civilian staff members
have qualifications in the
fields of audio engineering,
An expert from the Photographic Section
scans a crime scene using the Interactive
Forensic Imaging System. The new LED
lighting system has reduced scanning
time from 20 minutes to around six
minutes, allowing other forensic experts to
access the scene sooner.
“If a victim claims he has been
hit with a belt buckle and
can tell us when the injury
occurred, on which part of
the body he was hit, and the
shape of the object, then we
can corroborate the claim and
possibly fit the object to the
injury.
“The technique shouldn’t be
seen as a fishing expedition;
it’s best to know what we
The Quality Management Section is responsible for the development, validation and approval
of all forensic procedures and methods used by Queensland police. Research staff ensure the
Service is employing the most up to date methods and technology, and also develop new
and novel approaches to the collection and processing of forensic evidence. For example,
the swab and tapelift kits developed by The Quality Management Section (QMS) have
dramatically reduced the processing time imposed on DNA profilers.
Forensic Services Branch has 35 laboratories throughout the state and is corporately
accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). QMS is responsible for
the rigorous biannual internal audit regime to ensure that the work conducted complies with
world best laboratory practice.
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