Tasmania is enhancing its crime scene forensic technology through a significant AU$ 3.7 million upgrade, which includes the addition of new capabilities for DNA identification and toxicology analysis.
The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management announced that the Rockliff Liberal Government is implementing this equipment to support victims and ensure the apprehension of criminals. He highlighted the significance of the new equipment in providing crucial forensic science evidence for violent crimes, drug offences, road accidents, and matters pertaining to the coroner’s office.
The investment of AU$ 3.7 million in Forensic Science Services Tasmania has furnished the state’s scientists with cutting-edge technology, guaranteeing the production of high-quality evidence to bring criminals to justice. The Minister emphasised that modern instruments greatly assist scientists in accurately examining exhibits, resulting in improved sensitivity.
Furthermore, the funding has enabled Forensic Science Services Tasmania (FSST) to expand its capacity for storing evidence related to sexual assault and other samples. The increased storage space ensures that victim-survivors can have their forensic samples securely stored until they feel prepared to report the incident to the police, as Minister Ellis pointed out.
This provision is crucial because victims may not be emotionally ready to report the incident immediately. The samples are preserved indefinitely, allowing them to report when and if they choose to do so.
Each year, Forensic Science Services Tasmania (FSST) receives a substantial number of requests for scientific analysis, totalling over 22,400. These requests encompass a range of categories, including:
- Approximately 6,500 requests for biological examination.
- Approximately 350 requests for criminalistics analysis.
- More than 9,700 tasks related to DNA analysis.
- Nearly 600 cases involving illicit drugs.
- Around 5,200 matters that require toxicology analysis
FSST handles this considerable workload, providing essential scientific expertise and support in various areas of forensic analysis.
According to research, the global forensics technology market reached a value of US$ 15.2 billion in 2020, and it is expected to grow to US$ 44.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.2%. Forensic technologies, including scanning electron microscopy, DNA fingerprinting, and facial reconstruction, play a vital role in processing evidence for crime investigations and prosecutions. These technologies offer reliable results in diverse areas such as missing person cases, disaster victim identification, and paternity testing.
The global forensics technology market is experiencing significant growth due to factors such as the rise in crime rates and the utilisation of advanced technologies in solving criminal cases. Additionally, the pressure to clear backlog cases in the judicial system and the outsourcing of case results by governments present lucrative opportunities for market players in the forensic services sector, thereby boosting the forensics technology industry. However, the market’s growth may be hindered by the lack of accuracy in these technologies.
