On the 50th anniversary of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences

In the first issue of the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, the late Oscar Schmalzbach recounted how, in 1961, whilst traveling through London on his way to a Psychiatric Congress in Canada, he held discussions with office holders and leading members of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences ¹. And so the idea of an Australian equivalent was planted that was to emerge in 1967 as the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences. There were 89 founding members, mainly from the legal and medical professions. The first President was His Honour Mr Justice R. Le Gay Brereton, with the first constitution based on that of the British Academy. In the years to follow, there were many very high profile Presidents but the one constant, most would agree, was the ‘dominant figure’, until his death in 1996, of Oscar Schmalzbach. Oscar was the first Secretary General (a title again adopted from our British colleagues), President from 1967–1976 and 1985–1987 and Editor of the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences (AJFS) from volume 4 through to volume 24 in 1992. His unique contribution to the Academy was recognized when the title ‘Founder’ was conferred on him upon the completion of his second term as President. Oscar also established the Academy research foundation that offers a research fellowship on a biennial basis and supports the holding of symposia.

At the foundation meeting of the Academy on 20 April 1967, Justice Brereton spoke of the aims of the Academy as:

encouraging the progress of those branches of the sciences which are, or are likely to become, of great importance in the detection of crime, in the determination of guilt and innocence, and in the resolving of civil disputes with particular reference to the needs of the Courts and the advancement of the administration of Justice.

Importantly he also pointed out ‘the Academy would not attach itself to any particular branch of science, nor was it intended to be a mere forum for the discussion of scientific and legal problems’ ¹.

And so the Academy started its journey of 50 years to where it is today, with meetings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, many hundreds of members and a mature journal, also about to reach its 50th anniversary milestone. The formal Objects of the Academy are to:

•	encourage the study, improve the practice, and advance the knowledge of the forensic sciences;
•	establish and maintain an Education and Research Fund for the purposes of the Objects;
•	hold meetings;
•	publish such material as is calculated to further the Objects; and,
•	generally do all things as may be calculated to widen, improve and develop the education and knowledge of both those actively concerned in the pursuit of the forensic sciences and the public.

The Objects of the Academy are in part achieved through the publication of the AJFS, and the holding of short symposia and meetings in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The meetings provide an opportunity for plenary presentations, some of which are published in the AJFS. However, an important aspect of the Academy is the opportunity these meetings provide for discussions, not limited to the topic of the meeting, where members can share views in confidence without fear that they will find themselves on the front page of the local newspaper the next day. In this way, the meetings of the Academy go to addressing the comment by Justice Brereton that the Academy was not ‘intended to be a mere forum for the discussion of scientific and legal problems’, as it provides the environment for legal, medical and science leaders and managers to develop personal and professional relationships and networks that would otherwise be unlikely to occur. The academy has, on occasion, been somewhat unkindly described as a mere dinner club. Whilst I cannot see the problem with a decent dinner in a suitable venue, seriously, much of the value of the Academy is realized through the environment created at these dinners with the opportunity for frank discussion and exchange of views.

By the time this editorial appears in print, the Academy will have celebrated its 50th Anniversary, with two formal events on 21 and 22 November 2017. The first event will be a one-day Symposium, hosted by Centre for Forensic Sciences at the University of Technology, Sydney, and the second, will be the 50th anniversary meeting and dinner of the Academy. The theme for both events will be ‘The Academy, Past, Present and Future’ with the Plenary speaker on the 22nd being The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG. I am sure that Michael will share memories and stories of our Founder, Oscar Schmalzbach as he reflects on the past, and challenges us to consider the role of the academy in the future as it moves to the next phase in its history and evolution.

As the current president of the Academy I thank all who have served the Academy over its first 50 years as members of Council, in Executive positions and, of course, our members who attend meetings and create the environment of open dialogue that is the hallmark of our Academy.

James Robertson
President AAFS and Editor AJFS
National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Australia
[email protected]