ARC grants hairing for success

A radical new hair examination technique that is set to revolutionise forensic science is one of 208 new research projects sharing in $63,717,139 over five years, announced by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.

The University of Canberra project, Silent Witness: New analytical approaches to advance and enhance the forensic value of human hair, has been awarded more than $200,000 over three years. It brings together forensic science expertise from the University of Canberra, the Australian Federal Police, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Adelaide, the Australian Federal Police and Leica Microsystems Pty Ltd, and aims to improve the quality of evidence drawn from human hair.

“Humans shed, on average, more than 100 scalp hairs a day and we plan to develop a new, comprehensive, objective examination system that will significantly increase hair’s forensic value,” head of forensic studies at the University of Canberra Prof Chris Lennard said.

“The irony is that, despite the fact that human hairs are one of the most common forms of forensic evidence, the evidential value associated with hair has come under immense scrutiny since the inception of routine DNA profiling.

“Conventional hair examination requires a comparison of microscopic features by an experienced hair examiner. This comparison is considered a very subjective process, heavily reliant on the experience of the hair examiner. Errors can and do occur.

“This project will use the latest technology to produce a radical, reliable, new hair examination protocol that will increase the forensic value of human hair, one of the most common evidence types found at crime scenes,” Prof Lennard said.

The research will build on the latest advances in digital imaging, the automated analysis of hair features such as pigmentation patterns and the profiling of minute quantities of heavily degraded DNA.

“The University of Canberra forensic science program has benefitted from a close relationship with the Australian Federal Police and we are pleased to be able to work with them on this very applied research project that will directly impact on front-line forensics. The world-class expertise that our other partners bring to this project is also impressive and invaluable,” Prof Lennard added.

Senator Carr said: “The research is an excellent example of the type of innovative, collaborative projects supported under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme, Round 2, for funding in 2008.

“Collaboration — across disciplines, sectors and geographic boundaries — is central to the creation and success of an innovative country. One of the Australian government's primary goals is to develop a strong, effective culture of innovation that will set us up to reap economic, social, cultural and environmental rewards for generations to come.

“In this funding round, 400 partner organisations have pledged to contribute more than $115 million over five years as additional support for these projects, including approximately $21 million from international organisations.”

Average funding for each project is $306,332, with average first-year funding per project coming to $100,952.

Other Linkage Projects research programs funded in this round include:

• investigating the use and effects of modern art materials to assist collectors and curators to develop innovative approaches to conservation (The University of Melbourne with the Art Gallery of New South Wales; Artlab Australia; Getty Conservation Institute; Queensland Art Gallery; the National Gallery of Australia; Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; National Art Gallery of Malaysia; SEAMEO-SPAFA; and Tate Britain).
• using the polyphenols contained in the waste products from sugar refining to reduce body fat and insulin resistance with the intention of addressing the increasing problem of obesity and metabolic syndrome (La Trobe University with Horizon Science Pty Ltd). 
• exploring resilience in regard to physical activity and dietary behaviours in children from low socioeconomic areas (University of South Australia with the SA Department of Health).
• developing a precision three-dimensional localisation system for underground mining vehicles that offers improved productivity and personnel safety (University of Technology, Sydney with Pempek Systems Pty Ltd).

Top funding of $11,410,443 will go to The University of New South Wales to support 22 projects, followed by $8,085,401 to The University of Queensland for 21 projects, and $8,047,807 to The University of Melbourne for 28 projects.