Australasian Forensic Science Summit 2016: external environments towards 2030

Abstract

The Australasian Forensic Science Summit was held in Canberra on 7–8 December 2016 to discuss the future challenges, changes and developments for forensic science. Practitioners, academics and stakeholders gathered to discuss the various issues within one of five working groups. The External Environments working group discussed the external drivers for change, impacts of legislation and policy and the relationship between forensic science, policing and the courts. This article presents the outcomes of the discussions, which culminated in the development of statements designed to direct and stimulate further discussions and work in the development of forensic science in Australia and New Zealand towards 2030.

Keywords:

• Forensic Science Summit
• National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS)
• forensic science
• legislation
• Policy
• Australia; New Zealand

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of the following working group members who participated in the External Environment stream discussions at the Australasian Forensic Science Summit:

Table