NSW Branch Newsletter - Forensic Science Societyanzfss.org/nsw/files/2013/06/Issue39.pdf · The NSW Branch of ANZFSS wishes you and your families a safe, fun festive season and looks

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It’s time to celebrate the end of another year. The NSW Branch of ANZFSS wishes you and your families a safe, fun festive season and looks forward to seeing you at branch meetings and events in 2013. New membership cards (with a twist) will be sent out in the new year so look out for those in the mail. Should your contact email, postal address or other details change, please contact our Secretary so our membership database can be updated accordingly, and so you don’t miss out on your invitations to the excellent events planned for next year! New members are always encouraged to join so if you have colleagues or new staff or know students who have a professional interest in forensic science, let them know about us. Acceptance to membership requires at least two sponsors. Anyone interested in membership of the NSW Branch should contact the Secretary with a completed Membership Application form. More details, and the form, are available at www.anzfss.org,au/nsw. In other ANZFSS news, the winners of the awards; The Alan Hodda Memorial Award and The Ian Riebeling Memorial Medal have been announced (see recent Executive newsletter). Congratulations Dr Runa Daniel (Vic Branch) & Ashleigh Fox (NZ Branch)!

Membership Notice:

December 2012 Issue 39

NSW Branch Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Membership Notice 1

New Branch Members

President’s Message REVIEW by Glenn Wilcher; Public Night on DVI in Christchurch & Japan by Insp Forbes & Insp Fox

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REVIEW by Dr Jo Bunford; Dr Itiel Dror’s Cognitive Factors Workshop

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REVIEW by Glenn Wilcher; NSW Branch Annual Din-ner, Strike Force Tuno by Det Insp Jubelin Photos from Annual Dinner, by Annalise Wrzecycki Vale; Professor Ross Vining NSW Branch Committee Contact

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Save The Date: first Branch

meeting of 2013 will be held Wed 6 February. Mark it in your diary and keep an eye out for details in your email!

New Society Members:

The NSW Branch of ANZFSS warmly welcomes the following new members:

Ross CAMPBELL Abhineet GUPTA David ROFE

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President’s Final Message of 2012:

Dear Members, Welcome to our final newsletter for 2012. It is a special edition we’ve created to provide an overview of the Public Meeting in October and our Annual Dinner held in November. Our Editor Annalise Wrzeczycki and reviewer Glenn Wilcher provide a great summary of these events, complete with photos. Our Branch Annual Dinner was a fantastic evening. Many thanks must go to the committee for all their assistance in putting together such a wonderful event, especially to Alison Beavis and Kate Grimwood for all their behind-the-scenes hard work. Those who attended were treated to delicious food, abundant beverages and an extremely engaging guest speaker. Guests were also treated to home-made cookies in the shape of the ANZFSS logo, made by Branch Vice President Alison Beavis. Two lucky door prizes were very kindly donated by Life Member Carl Cameron and Committee Member Rebecca Johnson. Congratulations to the winners; Keith Lewis and Ivana Sesardic. They each won a book voucher to the value of $40. Congratulations!! For those who were unable to make it, we are happy to share an interesting review summarising the presentation by Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin as well as photos, so please enjoy the happy holiday reading! I take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting your Branch this year. I hope you were able to attend some of the meetings and perhaps even the Symposium in Hobart. If not, I look forward to seeing you at our Branch meetings in 2013. We have a few exciting advancements brewing and you can all be assured of a great, busy year and more excellent opportunities for our members. Also, look out for your new membership card early in 2013. I encourage you all to let us know if there is a specific forensic topic that you would like to see presented at one of our events. We look forward to all member suggestions for improvements or meeting/speaker ideas; simply email our Secretary. Also, during the course of 2013, if any of your contact details change, please send us an email at [email protected] As we’re going green next year, our newsletters will only be distributed in electronic format, so it’s particularly important to keep your email address up to date. It’s a good idea to add us to your contact “safe list” to ensure you don’t miss out on our correspondence. And speaking of the coming year, we are lining up some excellent speakers and evenings to cover a myriad of topics including (hopefully) clandestine drug laboratory investigations and archaeological excavations. Plus, we are hoping to go a little retro and bring back the 'wine and cheese' evening our older members may recall. Our first Branch meeting for the year will, following tradition, be a presentation by our 2012 Symposium Scholarship winners. This will be on Wednesday the 6th February, 2013. Please put that date in your diary, and keep an eye on your email and our website for all upcoming meetings and news. I take this opportunity, on behalf of the NSW Branch Committee, to wish all our members and their families a joyous Christmas, and a v e r y h a p p y a n d s a f e h o l i d a y s e a s o n ! Alison Sears, President, NSW Branch ANZFSS

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Public Night REVIEW: “Disaster Recovery Operations; Reflections from Christchurch & Japan” presented by Inspector David Forbes (NSWPF) and Inspector Tim Fox (FRNSW) 17/10/12.

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The 2012 NSW Branch Public Night, held at UTS’s Guthrie Theatre, was a fantastic insight into Disaster Recovery Operations and our speakers, Inspector David Forbes and Inspector Tim Fox, both generously presented a wealth of information pertaining to the challenges and successes of the DVI missions in New Zealand and Japan. The Review by Committee Member Glenn Wilcher, covering the topics, scenes attended and presentations given on the night, follows. Inspector David Forbes. Coordinator State Operations, Crime Scene Services Branch, Forensic Services Group, NSW Police Force. Inspector Forbes has coordinated numerous Australian and NSW DVI responses, and was integral to the coordination of the Australian DVI team that assisted our New Zealand neighbours during the devastating Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011. Inspector Forbes provided an interesting insight into the logistics of coordinating an international DVI response during his presentation at the 2012 Public Night. Inspector Forbes outlined the history of DVI in Australia citing numerous DVI events, the first dating back to 1961 with the Botany Bay plane accident. He also mentioned the earlier work of Detective Sergeant Barney Ross and discussed an international disaster in Spain in the 1970’s. What is Disaster Victim identification (DVI)? DVI is the process of victim identification in disasters involving comparative studies with different methods of identification. Why is it important to identify deceased persons? DVI is based on INTERPOL procedures and international standards. The main objectives of the DVI process are the identification of the deceased for the Coroner, and repatriation of deceased to the next of kin. It is now accepted that visual identification is the most erroneous form of identification in the DVI process. Several well-known DVI cases were discussed:

Ansett AVA Vickers Viscount Plane Disaster November 30, 1961 (Australia). This event saw a turbo prop plane dive out of control into Botany Bay killing two pilots, two flight attendants and eleven passengers. The plane was on route from Sydney to Canberra. The cause of the accident appeared to be a failure of the right hand tip of the wing.

Los Alfaques Tanker Disaster, 11 July 1978 (Spain). On the afternoon of 11 July, 1978 a motor vehicle accident involving a road tanker exploding at Alcanar near Tarragona, Spain, killed 217 people with 200 others suffering burns. There were different witness reports as to the cause of the explosion. The tanker was carrying 23 tons of liquid propyl-ene. The tanker was carrying four tons more propylene than the design load of 19 tons when the crash occurred with the tanker forming a cloud of gaseous propylene that entered the campsite nearby a disco. The cloud reached an ignition source and immediately caused the tanker to experience a Boiling Liquid Expansion Vapour Explosion (BLEVE), in front of a campsite full of campers mostly wearing swimming costumes. The campsite was crowded with 1000 vacationers, mostly Germans packed in trailers and tents. The blast was 1000oC and left a massive crater destroying everything within a 300 meter radius. Thredbo Landslide, July 30 1997 (Australia). Late July 30, 100 tons of rock and mud on the hills of the Thredbo Alpine Way dislodged and tumbled into the Carinya Lodge which collided into the Binbadeen Lodge. Coroner Derrick Hand blamed the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for laxity in failing to ensure the village structures were stable and the

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fact that water mains should not have been approved along the unstable Alpine Way, which had leaking, damaged pipes. The incident killed 18 people. Bali Bombings October 12 2002 (Indonesia). Inspector Forbes discussed the Bali Bombings and DVI process known as Operation Alliance. The confirmed dead numbered 200 including 88 Australians. Other nationalities of the deceased included Indonesians, British, a variety of Europeans, North Americans, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese. A bomber entered the Paddy’s Bar frequented by Australians and detonated a bomb consisting of Potassium Chlorate, Aluminum and Sulfur. In a second blast, a Mitsubishi van with a driver exploded with the same type of bomb at the Sari Club. The bombing was due to the presence of westerners and their alleged decadent behaviour. The bomb in the van was 1020kg and the bomb blast travelled 5000 meters/second, producing a long burning phase. The Bali experience enforced the efficacy of INTERPOL DVI protocols. Of 18 deceased visually identified by relatives, only nine were correct and a positive identification. This reinforced that visual identifications do not suffice in DVI. Inspector Forbes showed photographs of the morgue utilised for the DVI process and autopsies. It was very hot and humid with no air conditioning and fixed autopsy tables. He also discussed the resources provided by the Australian DVI team and how our team worked to assist the Indonesian government. In the first week, 48 deceased were identified.

Waterfall Train Disaster, January 31, 2003 (Australia). At 7:15am the train driver suffered a heart attack losing control of the train. The track speed was 60km/hr with the train traveling at 117km/hr on a curved part of the track at the time it left the tracks, derailing and colliding with the rocky wall of gorge at Waterfall. The deceased numbered seven. The area was inaccessible for rescuers, requiring them to walk 1.5km carrying equipment. Two train carriages were on their sides. The coronial inquiry determined the ‘deadman’s brake’ was not operating at the time of the incident.

The J.W.Marriott Jakarta Bombing, August 2003 (Indonesia). In August 2003 a Toyota Kijang was loaded with explosives and driven through a taxi stand in front of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta. A security guard approached and spoke with the driver then as he turned away, the bomb was detonated. The severed head of the suicide bomber Asmarhata Sani, 28 years old from West Sumatra, was found on the 5th floor of the building. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the bombing. The death toll was 12 with 150 injured. The hotel was viewed as a western symbol and was frequented by United States Embassy staff. Inspector Forbes showed photographs of the crater made by the bomb. RAN Sea King Helicopter Crash, 2 April 2005 (Indonesia). On April 2, 2005 a Sea King helicopter crashed on the Indonesian island of Nias while on a humanitarian support mission killing nine personnel. The cause of the accident was failure of flight control system caused by separation of the bellmark from the pitch control linkages. This directs a pilots control inputs to the main and tail rotor systems. Incorrect fitting five days prior of a nut and split pin caused the accident. There had been no quality inspection control follow up of the work.


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Victorian Bushfires, 7 Feb 2009 (Australia). On Feb 7, 2009 173 people died, 100 males and 73 females, as a result of 400 individual bushfires in the state of Victoria. 164 Australians were killed with nine foreign nationals. The causes suspected were lightning, cigarette butts or from power tools. Other causes considered were fallen power lines and arson. That day in Melbourne reached temperatures of 46.4oCwith only 6% humidity, and 100km/hr north westerly winds. 120 people died by a single firestorm, with four from motor vehicle accidents and five dying in hospital. A total of 414 people were injured. Statistics of the fire include 2,300 homes destroyed, a total of 3,582 fire fighters involved, with a cost of $4.4 Billion which included $645 Million placed on the lives of the 173 deceased. 450,000 hectares was burnt, 7,582 people displaced, 118,000 head of livestock lost with 10,000km of fencing destroyed. 190 hectares of crops were destroyed and 62,000 hectares of pasture destroyed. The Christchurch Earthquake, 22 Feb 2011 (New Zealand). Inspector Forbes discussed the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011, and Operation Monro which involved Australian assistance and DVI response. He discussed how 120 General Duties Police Officers from Australia were “deputised” as New Zealand Police with their powers on arrival in New Zealand to stop looting. The role of the Police was proactive patrols, traffic duties and management, general duties, community safety, supporting emergency services and patrolling earthquake areas. On arrival, Inspector Forbes stated, 80% of the city was without power and water and wastewater services were significantly disrupted. There was significant liquefaction and surface flooding. The epicenter of the quake was the Port Hill area 5km west of Lyttleton Harbour being of a very shallow depth of just 5km. The quake was theoretically an aftershock of the earlier 7.1 Darfield quake on September 4, 2010. The quake on 22 February 2011 was 6.3 magnitude with 361 aftershocks in the first week following the quake, the biggest being 5.9 occurring two hours after the initial shock. As of May 2011 there was 181 deceased with 7,000 injured. The deceased, ranging in age from five weeks to 87 years, represented 15 different nationalities. Inspector Forbes showed photos of the devastation that occurred and the aftermath of this tragic event. The Canterbury Television Building only had the elevator shaft standing at an angle. 115 lives were lost in the building as it collapsed one floor on top of another and caught fire. In the Pyne Gould Corporation building 18 were killed. Photographs of the Christchurch Cathedral were shown where initially it was thought there were up to 20 deceased but no bodies were found during the search. Masonary falling onto a public bus resulted in eight deaths. The reason the quake was more severe than the Darfield quake was the epicenter was close to the city and very shallow. Also the quake occurred at 12:51pm in the daytime. It had been a ‘strike – slip’ event with oblique motion, mostly horizontal, and a vertical upward movement. A rupture of an 8km2 fault occurred at a depth of 1.2km. There were at least 106 personnel working on DVI. Inspector Forbes showed photographs of the cramped accommodation and sleeping conditions at the Wigram Lodge where DVI teams initially slept and which became intolerable. On the first night Commander Mark Sweeney slept in the park in town eventually moving to the Lincoln University. International assistance was provided by Australia, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand and Israel. A NSW team of 72 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) were flown over in a RAAF C130 Hercules landing 12 hours after the quake. A total of 300 Police came from Australia. Inspector Forbes explained the volunteer screening process and the logistical aspects of the Operation which involved staffing, rostering; knowing contact numbers and who exactly was working when, organising equipment, operational orders, food and accommodation, maintaining morale and welfare, ensuring rotation of staff and conducting operational debriefings. Psychological assessments of all staff and volunteers were also carried out. Inspector Forbes explained how some DVI operations result in psychological issues for staff and they eventually are no longer able to work again and retire or resign. He stated the autopsies of the victims for purpose of identification were conducted at the Burnham Army Camp which was ideal for reasons of security and the logistics assistance the New Zealand Army provided. Roles at the Mortuary included liaison, mortuary coordination, management, administration, body

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movements, property and personal effects management, photography, fingerprinting and quality assurance. Inspector Forbes detailed the methods of identification used to identify the 181 deceased. The following break-down shows statistics for which methods of identification were used; DNA 23, Fingerprints 85, Dental Records 75, Property 115, Physical/Visual 30, and Circumstantial 153. There were nine persons identified by a process of elimination. DNA consisted of swabs, blood and tissue samples which were taken by Forensic Biologists. Fingerprints involved the fingers, palms and footprints. The Inspector explained prints for comparison can be taken from property at the deceased person’s home with equipment available for lifting footprints from the floor. During his presentation, Inspector Forbes showed a flow chart illustrating the DVI/mortuary set up with property first, autopsy and DNA collecting next, Dental examinations, Fingerprints and then finally a Quality Control area, ensuring that all documentation was in order. Five stages of the DVI process Inspector Forbes went through the stages of the DVI process which assists in the management of complex and large scale disasters. The five stages are as follows: Stage One; The Scene. Involves procedures for management of the scene. Human remains and personal effects property are searched for identity documents including photographs. All items are recorded, photographed and documented. Stage Two: Post Mortem. Deals with storage of remains and the autopsy examinations conducted by Forensic Pathologists. Quickest identifications are done first to reduce possible number of matches. The cause of death in these situations is not the main purpose of the autopsy but finding features that will assist in identifi-cation. Issues in this stage involve the movement of bodies through various identification stages / examinations, collecting information, taking DNA samples, creating tracking systems of remains, samples and property. At this stage, stress and OH&S issues are important as hours are long and fatigue is an issue. Stage Three: Ante Mortem. Families of identified bodies are contacted. Ante mortem information is collected which refines the missing persons information. Medical, dental and radiographic records are obtained and DNA from suspected deceased belongings, like hair and tooth brushes, shoes etc. Comparison studies are then conducted of ante mortem and post mortem data. Stage Four: Reconciliation. Identification Board chaired by the Coroner is presented evidence of the identification match with ante mortem and post mortem data obtained during the reconciliation phase with police and DVI experts, establishing identification. Families and foreign missions are then advised. Stage Five: Debrief. Debriefing is conducted after all DVI operations. Positive and negative aspects and issues are discussed and the effectiveness of the DVI process is reflected on, any potential ways to better processes and/or resources is noted. Personnel involved meet for regular information sessions as the operational response progresses and a final de-brief is conducted at the end of operations. Support and welfare assistance to team members involving stress management, grief counseling and services of chaplains are provided.


Collapsed buildings and mass debris were common sights after the Christchurch Earthquake. This image is one such scene of devastation, and shows an USAR volunteer searching for survivors in the wreckage.

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Inspector David Forbes’ presentation was very informative and provided details on interesting historical events, past DVI incidents and more contemporary DVI responses in Australia and abroad. He provided an insight into the roles and challenges involved in the DVI process logistically, physically, psychologically, emotionally and professionally with various forensic disciplines. Inspector Tim Fox. Deputy Commissioner, Fire and Rescue Unit. Inspector Tim Fox was a member of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team deployed to Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. His presentation provided an overview of the 77 person USAR team deployment from Sydney to Tokyo and then onto the towns of Minimisanriku and Shizugawa. Inspector fox joined the Fire Brigade in 1985 and has spent most of his career working in rescue. He has attended disasters including the Thredbo landslides, the Glenbrook Train Crash, the Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka and the Christchurch Earthquake. Japan Earthquake. On Friday 11 March, 2011 a quake with the epicenter 70km east of Oshika Peninsula at a depth of 32km occurred with a magnitude of 9.0. The quake moved the island of Honshu 2.4 meters east and shifted the Earth on its axis between 10 and 25 centimeters. As of September 2012, 15,870 deaths were confirmed with over 6,000 injured and 2,814 missing plus 129,225 building collapses. A nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Dahchi Nuclear power plant that resulted in an evacuation zone of 80km from the plant. The estimated damage was $14.5 to USD$34.6 Billion. Inspector Fox provided information on the 76 strong multiagency task force that was established consisting of 56 Fire and Rescue, 2 Structural Engineers, 9 Paramedics, 2 retrieval Doctors, 2 search dogs and Police specialists, capable of ten days of sustained field operations. The Base Operation was in Minamikata 139km north of the Fukushima Nuclear plant. The team was working in Shizugawa in Minamisanriku. The task force role was searching wreckage for survivors. Inspector Fox spoke about the challenges; severe weather conditions with snow and rain and the language barrier for non-Japanese speakers. The Inspector spoke humorously about the task force being offered the grounds of a baseball field that turned out to be a field of dirt reduced to mud due to rain and snow. The Inspector stated morale was very high and that professional relationships developed between the Japanese Army and other agencies in a spirit not usual of Japanese government officials. This was evidenced by trips to the Fire Units by Japanese officials while in Australia thanking the Australian task force.

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The Inspector answered questions from the audience on the risk of radiation exposure and what OH&S measures were taken such as radiation monitoring equipment and dosimeters issued to team members and daily radiation data logged for monitoring radiation exposures. Since 1994 the Fire Brigade has developed a world class USAR Unit conducting operations in collapsed structures, confined space rescues and rescues requiring technical expertise. The USAR is recognised by the United Nations for international deployments. Due to the nature of the Winter weather in Japan during the Disaster Recovery Operation, the Inspector explained the use of the search dogs though their role was somewhat redundant with decomposition odours not detectable with the cold and snow. The audience was shown many photos from the Japan operation including devastating aerial shots of the hardest-hit regions. Inspector Fox illustrated the challenges faced in hostile environmental weather conditions and the stresses faced by USAR members in addition to the goodwill developed between two nations’ rescue services and the respect developed internationally between Australia and Japan. The Japan earthquake triggered a tsunami with waves reaching over 40 meters and travelling up to 10km inland. Nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to Hydrogen gas that built up after cooling systems failed. The earthquake occurred where the Pacific plate is sub-ducting under the plate beneath Honshu. The quake moved parts of north eastern Japan as much as 2.4 meters closer to North America. A 400km stretch of coastline dropped vertically by 0.6 meters, allowing the tsunami to travel a greater distance inland. Minimisanriku had most buildings swept away by waves of over 16 meters with over half the population missing and/or dead. Shizugawa Hospital was one of only a few major building structures that survived the tsunami with 74 out of 109 patients killed. The task Force was led by FRNSW Chief Superintendent Rob McNeil. The operation faced major challenges and risks including continuation of major earthquakes and tremors which reached magnitude 6.5 with constant risk of more tsunamis and snow and temperatures as low as minus 17oC. References for information and images: Wikipedia – 1978 Los Alfaques Spain Disaster, 2002 Bali Bombings & 2003 J.W. Marriott Bombing Wikipedia – 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. www.fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery and www.fire.nsw.gov.au/news www.crikey.com – Ansett Viscount plane disaster Botany Bay. P.A. McInerney QC, Special Commission of Inquiry into Waterfall Rail Accident – Vol 1 Jan 2005. www.defence.gov.au – RAN Sea King Disaster. NSW Fire and Rescue NSW, News story FRNSW, Team deployed to NZ earthquake. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/03/pictures/110315-nuclear-reactor-japan-tsunami-earthquake-

world-photos-meltdown/ Associated Press photo by David Guttenfelder.

- Review by Glenn Wilcher.

Left: an image of devastation published in the National Geographic after the March 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and Right: rescue team members carry the body of a man through splintered remains of the village of Saito. Photo by David Guttenfelder, AP.

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REVIEW: “NIFS ANZPAA 2012 Cognitive Factors Workshop”. By Dr Jo Bunford.

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NSW Branch Member, Dr Jo Bunford, (Scientific Officer - Chemical Criminalistics Unit CSSB, Forensic Services Group) attended the NIFS ANZPAA Cognitive Factors Workshop on 19 & 20 November 2012 in Melbourne, and wanted to share her feedback with others: The workshop covered an emerging trend called 'Cognitive Bias' and specifically discussed the possible effects of it within forensic comparison especially those involving subjective examinations such as documents, fingerprints, ballistics etc. Essentially, it has been found through a series of studies that in areas where the results are subjective, prior knowledge may influence an examiner and potentially cause a bias in their findings. This has proved quite controversial in the field and is an area that defence lawyer have now started to pick up on and bring into the court room in an attempt to discredit these subjective-based disciplines. The workshop was presented by Dr Itiel Dror, Principal Researcher of Cognitive Consultants International (CCI Ltd), who was incredibly enthusiastic about the subject and provided participants with two days of very thought-provoking presentations. Whilst I don't think that in Chemistry based areas, except maybe in hair examinations, we necessarily have cause for concern as we have the luxury of instrumental analysis to assist in our comparison and examinations, all forensic practitioners should be aware of the phenomena in case they are challenged whilst on the witness stand. Dr Bunford encourages all her ANZFSS colleagues to visit the CCI website. Dr Dror’s research and many reference papers on the topic of cognitive bias are available at www.cci-hq.com/ - Review by Dr Jo Bunford.

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Annual Dinner REVIEW: “Strike Force Tuno” presented by Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin (NSWPF). Friday 23 November 2012.

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Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin joined the NSW Police Force in 1985 and has 25 years of continuous experience as a criminal investigator. He performed criminal investigation duties at Local Area Commands (LACs) for four years before transferring to Major Crime where he performed duties at the Armed Hold-up and Organised Crime Units before specialising in Homicide Investigations. In 2004 he was promoted to Detective Inspector and performed duties as the North Shore LAC Crime Manager, where he continued to lead a number of major investigations. In 2007 Detective Inspector Jubelin was transferred to the Gang Squad then seconded to Homicide to lead Strike Force TUNO-2 and is currently attached to the Unsolved Homicide Squad. Investigations led by Detective Inspector Jubelin include the shooting murder of housewife Barbara Saunders in Normanhurst, the murder of two year old Jayden March at Sutherland, the organised crime murder of car dealer Bob Lubjic who was thrown off The Gap and the re-investigation into the serial murders of three Aboriginal children at Bowraville in the early 1990’s which is still ongoing. Detective Inspector Jubelin also led Strike Force TUNO – 2; one of the largest murder investigations in the state’s history, first becoming involved in this investigation in 2001 when he led Strike Force TUNO set up to investigate the abduction and murder of prisoner Terry Falconer. Due to evidence uncovered, the terms of reference were expanded to include eight unsolved murders, numerous shootings and attempted murders. This Strike Force and subsequent investigation has resulted in the arrest, charging and conviction of 14 offenders for multiple offences including murder, attempted murder, shootings and kidnappings. Detective Inspector Jubelin was our special guest speaker at this years’ NSW Branch ANZFSS Annual Dinner. His presentation commenced with him recognising the various disciplines in forensic science and describing the scientists role as being a ‘big stick’ knowing that evidence provided by the forensic sciences added confidence to the investigation, particularly in cases where DNA evidence is able to lead to an arrest and charges. Strike Force TUNO, upon which the television series Underbelly: BADNESS was based, involved the abduction and murder of Terry Falconer. Inspector Jubelin mentioned the humorous history behind the word “badness” and how he had used the word only to find it later utilised for the television series (whilst not actually being in the dictionary!)

Falconer, 52 years old (pictured left) was working at a smash repair business in the south west Sydney suburb of Ingleburn on day release from Silverwater Prison. Inspector Jubelin described how three men impersonating undercover police and driving a blue Commodore modified to look like an unmarked police vehicle, arrived at the premises and searched Falconer, hand-cuffed him and pushed him inside the vehicle. Whilst in the vehicle Falconer’s face was covered with a cloth doused in Chloroform. Unconscious, he was driven to where a van was parked, dragged out of the vehicle and placed in a large metal box, and transferred to the van. The three men separated with one driving with Falconer to a house in North Turramurra, where two men Anthony Perish and Matthew Lawton were waiting. They would later open the metal box and confirm the abductee was

Falconer. The metal box was secured with Falconer inside and driven to the town of Girvan on the mid-north coast of NSW where the box was opened and they discovered Falconer was dead. Anthony Perish and Matthew Lawton then proceeded to hoist Falconer’s body up with a block and tackle and dismembered the body. Sean Laurence Waygood, an Army Reservist who worked as a security guard at pubs and nightspots in Sydney, and who would plead guilty to kidnapping Falconer, told Police that Anthony Perish had removed Falconer’s teeth. Inspector Jubelin said that the teeth were smashed using a ball hammer. The Inspector also described how the remains of the dismemberment were placed in six plastic bags which were wrapped in chicken wire and weighted down and dumped in the Hastings River in Northern NSW. Inspector Jubelin said DNA which assisted in the investigation, was found at the property at Girvan where the body was cut up (in the shed, pictured right). One motive for the abduction and murder of Terry Falconer was the shooting of Anthony and Andrew Perish’s grand-parents in 1993 in the suburb of Leppington, which remains unsolved.

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Background of brothers and family The Perish brothers grew up in Leppington as grandchildren of Croatian

Immigrants. Their father ran a family egg business. In 1993 the grandparents Albert and Frances Perish, pictured right, were shot dead in their home. Anthony, at age 23, was on the run for amphetamine supply, being manufactured on the family property. He spent years hiding out at Turramurra, the property at Girvan and in South Australia. He was known to have contact with the Gypsy Jokers motorcycle gang and disgraced solicitor Justin Hill. His brother, Andrew Perish, pictured left, was a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle

gang and had drug convictions. Waygood and a man named Keith Payne committed a number of armed robberies. Other crimes were also committed with Michael Christiansen and Jeremy Postleweight. It has been reported that the activities of Waygood and Anthony Perish involved intimidation activities, murder and debt collecting of monies. In 2001 Waygood wounded Gary Mack who owed money, shooting him outside the Peakhurst Inn, hitting him in the back. This was established at the sentencing of Waygood, as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. Mistaken Identity

Waygood (pictured left) in 2002, aided by Christiansen attempted to murder a Bandido’s member at a pub in Haymarket. This incident had originated from an assault that had occurred at a nightclub. The intended targets were Felix Lyle and Dallas Fitzgerald who were Bandido members. At the bar Christiansen pointed out a target to Waygood who shot at the person eight times but the wrong person had been identified. Sean Waygood pleaded guilty to the shooting of Raniere Puketapu, who apparently looked similar in appearance to the real target, and admitted to conspiring to murder the Bandido’s members. After the shooting, Waygood set fire to the stolen van he used which had the outer clothing he had worn it in. Inspector Jubelin stated that NSW police

obtained DNA from that crime scene (and specifically from some of the burnt material) and matched it with a DNA sample provided by the Queensland Police Service which had been collected at a murder scene (also involving burnt clothing in a vehicle); a commendable example of interstate police intelligence cooperation. Waygood and others, had committed armed robberies and also an Aggravated Break & Enter to obtain chemicals for drug manufacture. A number of the persons charged by SF TUNO were convicted. Properties under surveillance in Mudgee and Girvan Inspector Jubelin mentioned extensive covert surveillance was conducted over the course of the Strike Force TUNO investigations; criminals would talk in code which the police were able to decipher. In 2008, police discovered a property at Mudgee which was linked to persons under investigation and the matter in which the shed was set up at that property lead police to believe it would be utilised for future criminal activities. This property therefore held particular investigative significance to members of Strike Force TUNO and considerable covert surveillance was conducted at this property. The perimeter of the property itself had camera surveillance linked to a control centre inside the house. Anthony Perish had a slab poured on the property at Mudgee. Inspector Jubelin showed aerial photographs of the property. A basement had been built under the slab for use as a clandestine drug manufacturing laboratory. Inspector Jubelin described how they conducted surveillance and checked motels in Mudgee. Police also discovered during their investigation how the property at Girvan had been set up with ‘booby traps’ including remote-controlled detonation devices and automatic firearms.

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Paul Elliot Murder Inspector Jubelin provided an overview of the murder investigation of Melbourne underworld figure, Paul Elliot (pictured left). Having driven a rental car from Melbourne with his girlfriend, Paul Elliot arrived in Sydney to deal with a drug issue relating to poor quality drugs. His intention was to recover monies after a bad drug deal. He advised his girlfriend “if this doesn’t go well you might not see me again”. Two days later, after he hadn’t returned, the girlfriend flew back to Melbourne, not saying anything. Inspector Jubelin stated that Elliot’s body was placed in a toolbox with holes in it at Birkenhead Point, Sydney and thrown overboard into the ocean at Sydney Heads, 130 meters deep (refer to SMH article, 2009).

The Inspector said metal shavings were found in the boat which forensically matched the toolbox. Elliot’s rental car was later found burnt out at Redfern. The criminals had a storage unit which was under surveillance by police. The police located Elliot’s bag and wallet; exhibits which would be forensically tested. Detective Inspector Jubelin provided a synopsis of the significant results for Strike Force TUNO; 6 offenders involved in the Falconer murder have been convicted 2 offenders involved in the shooting of Gary Mack convicted 2 offenders convicted for attempted murder of Raniera Puketapu 4 offenders involved in the murder of Paul Elliot have been convicted 2 offenders involved with conspiring to murder Felix Lyle and Dallas Fitzgerald have been convicted Interstate arrest warrant issued against an offender for the murder of Michael Davies on the Gold Coast The presentation by Detective Inspector Jubelin was very informative, entertaining and provided an amazing insight into the criminal world. He illustrated the dangers associated with investigations and covert surveillance operations and the effects on police personally in their private lives over many years of such strike force operations. The NSW Branch of the ANZFSS extends thanks to Detective Inspector Jubelin for generously donating his time to present at the 2012 Annual Dinner. References The Australian “Man admits two shootings, kidnapping” Margaret

Scheikowski June 4, 2009. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/man-admits-two-shootings-kidnapping/story-fn3dxity-1225721633700

SMH Man cut into pieces and thrown in river. Paul Bibby, July 12, 2011.

SMH How a murderous empire was brought down. Dec 18, 2011.

SMH Body dumped off heads in toolbox after drug deal police say October 29, 2009. Geesche Jacobsen, Crime Editor.

All images provided from open source publications such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and www.news.com.au.

- Review by Glenn Wilcher.

Guest Speaker Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin with NSW Branch President Alison Sears at the 2012 Annual Dinner, held at UTS’s Aerial Function Centre. Photo by Annalise Wrzeczycki.

Open source photos of Anthony Perish & Sean Waygood‘s arsenal and a photo taken during their arrest in January 2009.

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Photos from the NSW Branch 2012 Annual Dinner (23/11/12):

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“An excellent evening of delicious food, friends and an engaging presentation on Strike Force Tuno” - branch member feedback.

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All photos © Annalise Wrzeczycki

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Vale Professor Ross Vining (15 November 2012)

We were deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Professor Ross Vining. South Australia’s top forensic scientist and Director of Forensic Science SA, Professor Ross Vining, recently died in a plane crash in Far North Queensland. He was driving the cold-case review of hundreds of DNA crime scene samples before his death in a seaplane crash on Thursday, 15 November, 2012. Professor Vining had travelled to Queensland to witness the total solar eclipse. As tributes flowed in from the science and legal communities, fellow seaplane enthusiasts said there was solace that he died doing something he loved. The Queensland trip to see the eclipse had been planned for a decade, after Professor Vining saw the 2002 total eclipse at Ceduna in South Australia's Far West. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft - a SeaRey Amphibian seaplane he built himself seven years ago - which he was flying from Bamaga Airport, at the tip of Far North Queensland, to Weipa. The wreckage of the aircraft was found after a search was launched when he failed to arrive. He led an expedition of at least five aircraft to Queensland and was beginning his journey home when the accident occurred Professor Vining’s sudden passing has come as a shock to his aviation and forensic colleagues. Acting South Australian Premier John Rau, also said he was shocked and saddened by Professor Vining's death. "Professor Vining was very highly regarded by staff at Forensic Science SA where, I am sure, he will be greatly missed," he said. Professor Vining was appointed Director of Forensic Science SA in January 2008 and came to SA from NSW where he was the Director of the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR) in Sydney. He was a passionate crusader for the role of forensic pathology in criminal work and was overseeing the painstaking re-examination of 300 cold-case DNA samples from crime scenes in the 1980s and '90s and kept on ice until extraction techniques improved and DNA databases were in place. "There are criminals out there who should be very afraid," he told The Advertiser earlier this year. A colleague, Dr Rob Fitzpatrick, who directs the Centre for Australian Forensic Soil Science said the forensics community was devastated. "There will be a massive gap," he said. "As a leader of the forensic community and a senior member he was just fantastic. He is going to be so missed." Professor Vining, who leaves a wife Linda and son Ben, had an Honours Degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry, a PhD in Nuclear Chemistry and an MBA. He will be greatly missed. The NSW Branch of ANZFSS extends our most sincere condolences to Ross’s family and our forensic colleagues of South Australia, who are in our thoughts at this difficult time. With Sincere Sympathy, NSW Branch Committee. Adapted from article: “Professor Ross Vining, chief of Forensic Science SA, killed in light plane crash in Queensland” by Penelope Debelle & Thomas Conlin, Sunday Mail (SA), 18 Nov 2012.

Professor Ross Vining was a dedicated and highly regarded forensic scientist and Director of Forensic Science SA.. Photo by Dylan Coker, SA Daily Mail.

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If you have any query, comment, suggestion or content idea for this newsletter or any Branch events, please do not hesitate to contact us. All correspondence regarding general enquiries, membership renewal, payment etc, can be addressed to: NSW Branch ANZFSS PO Box K208 Haymarket NSW 1240

Email: [email protected] Note - specific recipients (e.g. President, Treasurer, Membership Officer) can be reached c/o these details.

Website: anzfss.org.au/nsw

Your Committee

President: Alison Sears Vice President: Alison Beavis Treasurer: Peter Jamieson Secretary: Kate Grimwood Memberships: Aldo Severino Public Officer: Denise Donlon Merchandise: Aaron Heagney Website: Philip Maynard Newsletter: Annalise Wrzeczycki Committee Members: Harry Albani Jen Raymond Sonia Scott Eric Murray Tania Prolov Dianne Reader Glenn Wilcher Ed Soliman Rebecca Johnson

Contact Details - NSW Branch:

NSW Branch ANZFSS Newsletter

anzfss.org.au/nsw

Newsletters from the NSW Branch ANZFSS will be available ONLY in electronic format from 2013 onwards. Update us with your best email contact today to ensure you don’t miss out on your copy!

Documents

NSW Branch Newsletter - Forensic Science Societyanzfss.org/nsw/files/2013/06/Issue39.pdf · The NSW Branch of ANZFSS wishes you and your families a safe, fun festive season and looks