Swiss Australian collaboration in forensic science – a longstanding success story
The first in a series of articles, where we will be 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, 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
Reprinted with permission. Swiss Review, Regional News Oceania – October 2024
Forensic science is often portrayed in popular culture, but few realise Australia and Switzerland are leaders in the field, with a close collaboration driving their success. A key event highlighting this was the 23rd International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) meeting in Sydney last November, where over 1,700 delegates from 70 countries, including many Swiss experts, gathered. The event showcased Australia and New Zealand's forensic expertise and marked the presidency of Professor Claude Roux from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), reflecting the strong Swiss influence.
Claude Roux, originally from Lausanne, Switzerland, studied forensic science at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), which established the first forensic science school in 1909. Moving to Australia 28 years ago, he developed the country's first undergraduate and PhD forensic science programs and became a leader in the field, founding the UTS Centre for Forensic Science, an internationally recognised centre of excellence in this field His students now work across various sectors in Australia and overseas.
Roux's mentor, Professor Pierre Margot, also made significant contributions to forensic science in Australia. After joining the Australian National University in 1983, he led the development of the widely used Polilight lamp with the Australian Federal Police.
Margot returned to Switzerland in 1986 to lead the Institut de Police Scientifique et Criminologie, bringing his PhD student, Chris Lennard, who later became a key figure in Australia's forensic science community. Lennard and Roux have collaborated throughout their careers, with Lennard serving as Chair of the Scientific Committee at the recent IAFS meeting.
The partnership between UTS and UNIL adopts a holistic approach, treating forensic science as a distinct, science-based discipline focused on the study of remnants (traces) of past events. Their collaboration has led to many joint projects, student exchanges, and advances in areas like forensic intelligence, fingerprints, evidence evaluation, and drug detection. This cooperation extends beyond academia, involving law enforcement in both countries. Swiss graduates now work in Australian law enforcement, and some Australians have continued their careers in Switzerland.
As crime evolves, forensic science must adapt. To support this, Australian and Swiss scientists co-developed the Sydney Declaration, a framework defining forensic science and its fundamental tenets. This declaration provides a scientific foundation for the field, helping shape its modern ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Australia and Switzerland is set to grow. UTS and UNIL recently renewed their partnership, with new universities from the UK, Canada, and the USA joining the effort. This global alliance aims to further advance forensic science worldwide.
Sydney Declaration Forum at IAFS 2023 – LR Dr Simon Walsh (AFP), Nicholas Cowdery AO KC (former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions), Dr Jennifer Raymond (NSW PoliceForce), Prof. Noel Woodford (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine), Prof. Claude Roux (UTS), Prof. Keith Inman (California State University East Bay, USA), Dr Rebecca Bucht (NationalBureau of Investigation, Finland), Dr Sheila Willis (former Director of Forensic Science Ireland) and Prof. Pierre Margot (UNIL)
The Sydney Declaration
The Sydney Declaration is a key framework developed to establish a comprehensive and modern foundation for forensic science. It emerged from collaborative efforts among Australian and Swiss forensic scientists, alongside other international experts, in the lead up to the 23rd triennial meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) in Sydney.
The main aim of the Sydney Declaration is to define forensic science across all sub-disciplines (a transversal approach) and to articulate its foundational principles. This is significant because forensic science is a diverse field encompassing many specialised areas, such as DNA analysis, toxicology, digital forensics, and fingerprinting, each with its own methodologies and challenges. The Declaration provides a cohesive, science-based framework to unify these areas through their foundational basis and allows forensic science to be more relevant, effective and reliable in a rapidly changing world.
Sydney Declaration paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111182
Sydney Declaration launch: https://vimeo.com/557933148/34fb079498