Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES)

Forensic Studies

Forensic Studies UTASForensic Studies UTAS is a consortium of researchers at the University of Tasmania who engage in the study of forensics as a social phenomenon, and who primarily draw upon the social sciences in undertaking work in this field. Forensic studies is distinct from forensic science, which generally refers to specific areas of technical and vocational expertise.

Members of Forensic Studies UTAS include researchers who have expertise in criminology, sociology, psychology, media, law and police studies.

Forensic Studies UTAS Members

  • Forensic Studies UTAS Coordinator: Dr Loene Howes
  • Members: Assoc Prof Jeremy Prichard, Prof Rob White, Assoc Prof Terese Henning, Dr Sally Kelty (Uni of Canberra), Assoc Prof Nenagh Kemp, Dr Caroline Spiranovic, and Dr Kate Cashman.

Current Projects

  • Forensic Education Project (led by Dr Loene Howes). The project looks at the education of forensic scientists and of other criminal justice practitioners about forensic science, considering the interdisciplinarity and critical social sciences input into current programs around Australia.

Latest Publications

  • Julian R, Howes LM, White R, Critical Forensic Studies, Routledge, pp. 314. ISBN 9781138584747 (2021) [Authored Research Book].
  • Woodman PA, Ballantyne K, Julian R, Spiranovic C,  ‘The forensic examination of structural fires in Victoria, Australia: Decision-making processes and impact on judicial outcomes’, Science and Justice, DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2021.03.009 (2021) [Refereed Article].
  • Marshall H, Julian R, Howes LM, 'Forensic science and gendered organizations: An exploratory study of crime scene examiners', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1937315 (2021) [Refereed Article].
  • Reid CA, Howes LM, 'Communicating forensic scientific expertise: an analysis of expert reports and corresponding testimony in Tasmanian courts', Science and Justice pp. 108-119. ISSN 1355-0306 (2020) [Refereed Article].
  • A full range of publications relevant to the Forensic Studies UTAS can be found on Forensic Studies Members' UTAS profiles pages.

Forensic Studies UTAS - Study Units

A key element of forensic studies is how 'evidence' is socially constructed within legal and scientific discourses and practices, and how different players within the criminal justice system conceptualise the nature of criminal investigation, criminal procedure, criminal evidence and courtroom practices. Information on current study units is available on Courses and Units pages, University of Tasmania.