Forensic Sciences at 50: Past, Present and Future?

Abstract

In this article, delivered originally as an address to the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences on its fiftieth anniversary, the author -a past President -reflects on the past, present and future of the Academy. In the review of the past, he recalls the personality of Dr O.R. Schmalzbach who founded the Academy and initiated the successful mix of topics and members in the first 25 years. He then reviews the changes that came about producing the present Academy with more women members, scientists and less ceremony. Looking to the future he concludes that there will be no going back to the old ways. However, he suggests initiatives to broaden the definition of "forensic sciences" beyond primary attention to bench science. He also encourages the revival to some degree of the participation of the leaders of the medical and legal professions and their engagement with the issues of science and society or forensic sciences, broadly envisaged.