Sisters in Crime’s 14th Law Week event is now online (click on image below).
Forensic specialists Anna Davey and Dadna Hartman together with true crime author Julie Szego talked to award-winning journalist and true crime author Liz Porter about how DNA profiling has revolutionised criminal investigations since the 1980s.
The panel also canvassed the limitations of DNA profiling, the impact of DNA evidence in high-profile cases, and developments in the field that are likely to transform investigations in the future. A focus for discussion will, of course, be the differences between how DNA evidence is depicted in TV shows, such as CSI, compared to what happens in real life.
Anna Davey is a pioneer in the use of DNA profiling in criminal investigations. Her favourite TV crime shows are NCIS (with Abby) and Law Order: Special Victims’ Unit.
Dr Dadna Hartman is Manager of the Molecular Biology Laboratory and Chief Molecular Biologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). She likes TV crime shows Mind Hunter and Manhunt: Unabomber (or anything about the FBI).
Julie Szego is a freelance writer and columnist for The Age. Her book, The Tainted Trial of Farah Jama (Wild Dingo Press, 2014), details the 2008 case of 21-year-old Farah Jama, a Somalia refugee who was sentenced to six years behind bars after a bungled DNA investigation. Julie is fan of Nordic Noir generally and the French series Spiral specifically.
Former award-winning legal affairs journalist Liz Porter is the author of several books about ‘the real CSI’ – the way forensic science is used to solve crime. She is now doing her PhD on the work of Victoria Police’s forensic science lab.
Three ticket holders scored $150+ true crime book packs: Megan Cheyne, Claire Farley and Lauren Skinner.
Additional info: Carmel Shute 0412 569 356; admin@sistersincrime.org.au