Student Exchange Programs in Forensic Science
Swiss students Charline Emery and Kieran Matray hail from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), École des Sciences Criminelles (ESC). Here they tell us about their experiences travelling to the University of Technology, Sydney, for a semester of scientific collaboration and cultural exchange in Australia.
One of a series of articles showcasing the globally significant and long lasting collaboration between researchers at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). This will culminate in an exciting event on the 3rd of June hosted by the UNIL School of Criminal Sciences, a unique opportunity to engage with world-class experts from Switzerland and Australia, and discover how Australian-Swiss cooperation is shaping the future of Forensic Science.
Charline Emery
My name is Charline, I am 24 years old, born in the Valais region and raised in a small village in the Jura Bernois region. During high school, I developed an interest in sciences, and later I discovered the field of forensic science, which caught my interest. I then decided to enter this field, fascinated by the connection between science and justice.
I started my Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science at the University of Lausanne in 2019 and graduated in 2023. Then, I started a Master’s degree in Forensic Science, orientation physical identification, which I am currently completing. During this degree, I had the opportunity to apply for an exchange semester abroad, and Australia was one of the options. I saw this opportunity to learn and grow professionally and personally, by challenging myself to study in a foreign country and in another language.
I chose Australia because I had the chance to visit this country for a few weeks in 2019 and I really appreciated the mindset here. Moreover, during my studies in Lausanne, several professors mentioned research projects conducted in Australia and spoke about forensic science there. Therefore, I opted for Australia and that is how I joined the University of Technology Sydney.
During my semester here, I am writing my Master’s research project at the UTS Center for Forensic Science. My research focuses on understanding the persistence of fibres on submerged items, such as fabrics and knives. This area remains relatively poorly understood, and is crucial in cases involving submerged bodies or weapons discarded in water. In my research, fabrics and knives, with transferred fibres, were immersed in the ocean at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) site for several periods and with different immersion geometries (horizontally and vertically). The research is still ongoing, but preliminary results show some consistency with earlier studies, particularly with the work of Matthew Saunders, who did his PhD on a similar topic.
This project is quite interesting and enriching for me, as it is different from what I have done in my studies. I have really enjoyed doing something different. Moreover, collaborating with the SIMS has been a great experience, introducing forensic science to people who are working in a different field, and sharing good moments with an incredible view on Chowder Bay.
If I had to remember one thing about Australia for now, it would be all the paperwork, such as all the risk assessments and inductions for research project. Switzerland is much simpler on this side.
Regarding the future, my objective is to join the Police and work in the forensic identification unit. Originally, I planned to go back home in August this year and take the police entrance exam. However, I have now decided to stay one more year in Australia, and return to Switzerland in 2026. I am curious to see what the future holds!
- Charline Emery
Kieran Matray
My name is Kieran, I am from Switzerland, and I study at the University of Lausanne at the School of Criminal Justice. I am currently completing the final semester of my master's degree in forensic science, specializing in Chemical Criminalistics. This semester, I am studying abroad at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), at the Centre for Forensic Science, and I am working on a research project for my master's thesis. I decided to come to Australia because I had travelled here five years ago and had some of the best moments of my life. This time, I wanted to return as a full-time student, with the opportunity to settle into a new city, build a temporary new life, and meet new people. I also wanted to gain a different perspective on forensic science after spending five years studying in Lausanne. I believe it is important to have different points of view and to compare various experiences, as you can always learn new skills and knowledge. By choosing to undertake a research project, I have been able to connect more closely with the people working at UTS and at the lab where I am doing my project, having richer and more personal conversations compared to traditional classes with many students listening to a lecture. I find such collaboration important, to share knowledge and to work together in solving problems for the project. I find this especially valuable in forensic science, as it is a very broad field where collaboration is a key element.
I am currently working at the Forensic Analytical Science Service (FASS) in the Illicit Drugs Analysis Unit. I am testing the MicroNIR device combined with NIRLAB chemometric models to evaluate its performance with various Australian drugs, mainly MDMA. This device is a near-infrared spectrometer that can provide, within a few seconds, the identity and purity of a substance that is already in its database. Its portable and compact design makes it an instrument of choice for rapid in-field analysis. My research focuses on assessing the feasibility of the instrument with Australian specimens, as the models were mainly trained with European ones. This project became available because FASS was asked to conduct a six-month drug-checking trial at NSW festivals, with the aim of potentially implementing the device with their other current techniques. The aims of the project eventually broadened beyond just drug-checking, expanding to include testing different parameters such as contact types, inter-device variability, and different drug forms for a more general application.
Overall, NIRLAB worked well with MDMA and cocaine Australian drug specimens. Only a few false negatives occurred, and almost all of them could be explained by the sample being either a mixture, present in low quantity, or of low purity. Other drugs, such as methamphetamine and ketamine, performed slightly less well, but the results are still promising, as many false negatives could also be explained by the same limitations mentioned previously. These limitations were found to be significant factors affecting NIRLAB's performance. The worst results occurred when analysing samples through capsules, which is understandable since no models had been built for this type of contact. It is also important to note that NIRLAB algorithms are updated regularly, and the most recent version is always available to users. Therefore, even if some results are not conclusive, further research can be conducted to update and improve the models.
At the beginning of my project, I found it difficult to speak and understand English in a scientific context, as I was not used to using this kind of vocabulary in English. Over time, I was able to acclimate, and now I feel comfortable. I also felt a little bit lost when I first arrived at the lab, as I didn't know the facility or the people working there. My first difficulty related to my work occurred when I discovered my samples for the first time. The experimental plan I planned did not match the samples available. Therefore, I had to find solutions and new ways to make the project informative and useful for FASS. After some reflection and collaboration with my UTS and FASS supervisors, the aims of the project were expanded to focus on a more general application of the MicroNIR, rather than just for drug-checking. I learned from that experience that even with the best anticipation, you cannot always control how a project will evolve, and that you need to be able to adapt. I found it very useful to work at the lab for a week, then take a deep look at the data and try to interpret it, so that new ideas could emerge for the next visit to the lab, instead of sticking blindly to the initial plan and simply analysing specimens.
Another difficulty I encountered was that, as a student, I wasn't able to do everything I wanted. For example, I couldn't handle the samples myself or work without someone supervising me. I also didn't have direct access to the files from the lab that I needed for my results. I could ask the people working there for this information, but at the beginning, I felt as if I was asking for too much. Therefore, I decided to anticipate and come better prepared to the lab for my next visits, so that I could ask for multiple things at once, thus saving time for both me and the people working there. Over time, I also became more comfortable with the staff, who were really nice, and I would join them for coffee breaks and lunch.
For the future, I might extend my visa to stay longer in Australia. My preferred option would be to find a job here in forensic science for a few months to gain professional experience in the field. If not, I might also find other casual jobs and travel a bit around the country.
After that, I would like to return to Switzerland to find a permanent job. Ideally, I would like to work in a scientific police laboratory or in a laboratory related to my studies and interests. I am also strongly considering, after gaining some laboratory experience, entering the police force to work as a scientific police officer.
- Kieran Matray
Student exchange programs are a great opportunity to broaden your professional experience, bring new perspectives into your academic career, experience another culture, and explore another country.
Are you a Swiss or an Australian student and have thought about going on exchange? How about a semester to explore the beaches of Australia, or learning to ski in the mountains of Switzerland? Contact us via info+exchange@asain.ch and ASAIN can help to put you in touch with the right people to make it happen!