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How space tech could help solve crimes

Exploding car montage

Murdoch University postgraduate students are working with the University of Leicester’s Space Research Centre (SRC) to develop space technology that can be used to fight crime.

The Forensic Identification via Non-Destructive Evidence Retrieval (FINDER) technology is a non-contact, non-destructive digital technique that detects and stores forensic evidence at crime scenes.

The technology has the potential to limit risks to the Australian police force and other emergency services at hazardous crime scenes, allowing for safer collection of evidence such as finger marks, blood and semen.

Murdoch University lead researcher James Speers said postgraduate students in the forensics program had been fortunate to work alongside the SRC and leading remote technology developers.

“Our work with the Space Research Centre has given our students practical experience in applying cutting-edge space technology and research to forensics study,” Associate Professor Speers said.

“This innovative research will lead to real applications in crime scene investigation analysis, and our students are helping to lead the way.” 

Retrieval of forensic evidence

FINDER’s developer Dr Alex Smyth from SRC said the technology had led to a breakthrough in the identification and retrieval of forensic evidence from serious, hazardous crime scenes, such as IED, post-blast and terrorist incidents.

“Despite the widely held belief that finger-marks cannot survive explosions, our research has had a 65 per cent success rate in recovering post-blast finger-marks, compared to just 2 per cent from previous best-practice techniques,” Dr Smyth said.

Finger-marks obtained directly from the fragments of a detonated device provide information as to who detonated the device, and who came into contact with it.

“DNA at post-blast scenes can be transferred but finger-marks only come from someone physically touching a device.”

FINDER has the potential to limit risks to the Australian Police Force and other emergency services at hazardous crime scenes.

“Developments to allow remote use of FINDER will provide bomb removal squads a safer and more reliable way to collect forensic evidence from IEDs and post-blast locations,” Dr Smyth said. 

Dr Smyth said the less destructive collection methods from FINDER’s technology could be used at regular crime scenes.

“FINDER eliminates human error in finger-mark recovery and creates an immediate and secure digital replicate, which preserves evidence for additional analyses,” he said.

“FINDER’s single, repeatable, and digital technique may reduce time and costs, while increasing the integrity of forensic evidence.”

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How space tech could help solve crimes

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