ANZPAA NIFS announces recipient of prestigious forensics award

Mr Wayne Chisnall (retired General Manager Forensics, ESR New Zealand) was announced today as the recipient of the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency National Institute of Forensic Science (ANZPAA NIFS) John Harber Phillips Award. The Award recognises excellence in forensic sciences in Australia and New Zealand.

Alastair Ross, Director of ANZPAA NIFS congratulated Mr Chisnall and said that he was selected from a number of outstanding nominations from around Australia and New Zealand.

“As the recipient of the inaugural John Harber Phillips Award, Wayne truly personifies the qualities and outstanding commitment that is fundamental to the intent of the Award. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Wayne has displayed exceptional leadership and management skills and has led and guided forensic science in New Zealand through a remarkable period of change and challenge,” said Mr Ross.

Mr Chisnall was a strong advocate for forensic sciences in New Zealand during turbulent times in the late 1990s and early 2000s, in particular, in responding to DNA controversies giving rise to high-level inquiries into irregular results and reporting protocols. Mr Chisnall was also instrumental in negotiating investment into the development of New Zealand’s first dedicated forensic DNA facility in 2002.

“DNA profiling technology evolved rapidly during the 90s and the demand put pressure on facilities and our ability to deliver. As a consequence, issues arose over some anomalous results, which resulted in a high level enquiry into ESR procedures and reporting protocols. The outcome of the inquiry provided the impetus to develop a state-of-the-art national forensic DNA facility,” said Mr Chisnall.

Under his leadership, forensic science in New Zealand undertook profound change. In response to continued developments and the rapid proliferation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, Mr Chisnall actively sought sustained investment to cater for the significant pressures and demands on forensic services.

“It has been satisfying seeing the outcomes from our investment in DNA technology. 63 per cent of all unsolved case profiles loaded to the crime sample database are linked to individuals and more than 30 per cent are linked to another crime – this is world leading. We were also able to solve a large number of high-profile cold cases, such as the Theresa Cormack case,” Mr Chisnall says.

Mr Chisnall also strongly advocated the importance of science and research to underpin forensic service delivery and he initiated the development of a Forensic Research Programme.

“Supported by New Zealand Police, it has since developed into a well-established research programme underpinning forensic science delivery and leading to service enhancement and innovation. This research activity is strongly linked to the blossoming of the University of Auckland Postgraduate Programme in forensic science,” said Mr Ross.

As well as contributing to forensic science in New Zealand, Mr Chisnall significantly strengthened links with Australian forensic colleagues through participation in the Senior Managers of Australian and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories (SMANZFL) group and ANZPAA NIFS and has taken an active interest in the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).

“I am humbled by receiving this award. What I achieved was only possible through the support I had from the dedicated scientists in my team and from senior colleagues here and in Australia. Justice Phillips was a passionate advocate for the forensic sciences and this award will raise the profile of forensic science in Australasia. To be the inaugural recipient is a great honour for me,” said Mr Chisnall.

His commitment to the forensic sciences has continued long after his retirement and until 2010 he worked on a number of special projects in New Zealand.

The Award and Medal will formally be presented to Mr Chisnall at the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management - Police dinner in Canberra on 25 November 2010.

ENDS

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