28 MAY - UTS News Room

28 MAY
Naming the Dead
Will research on decomposing human bodies relieve
the suffering of millions?
When
Thursday 28 May
6.00pm drinks and canapés for
6.30pm start, concludes 8.30pm
Where
The Great Hall
Level 5, UTS Tower Building,
Broadway, Ultimo
Transport
UTS is only ten minutes’ walk
from Central Station, Eddy
Avenue and Railway Square bus
stops.
Parking is available for those with
a disability or special need to
drive:
Peter Johnson Building,
Basement Car Park, 702-730
Harris St. Ultimo.
RSVP 27 May 2015
Register attendance with
Robert Button
Email: robert.button@uts.edu.au
Tel: 02 9514 1734
--------------------------------------------UTSPEAKS: is a free public lecture
series presented by UTS experts
discussing a range of important issues
confronting contemporary Australia,
proudly supported by the UTS Union.
UTS CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 00099F
It may be the worst fate anyone could endure – a child or parent, a sibling or partner or good friend who
never comes home. Daily, millions worldwide lose loved ones to disasters, to violent hands or inexplicable
disappearance.
In some cases the anguish of those left behind ends in reunion and relief. But too often there may be no
news, or worse, a family’s greatest fears are irrevocably confirmed.
This fascinating public lecture features world-leading forensic scientists conducting new research to help
bring certainty and closure to countless people who have lost the ones they love. By learning how our
bodies decay in a wide range of settings, vital knowledge is being gained to more easily identify the dead,
solve crimes, catch killers and help put the minds of those who are grieving at rest.
Professor Shari Forbes
On gaining a PhD in forensic chemistry at UTS, Shari Forbes spent two years at the Centre for Forensic
Science in Western Australia and then seven as founding director of the University of Ontario Institute of
Technology’s forensic science program. She also held a Canada Research Chair in decomposition
chemistry. In 2012 Shari returned to UTS’s Centre for Forensic Science as professor and ARC Future
Fellow. Her research, carried out in diverse environmental settings throughout Australia, Canada and the
USA, investigates chemical processes occurring in soft tissue decomposition to estimate time since death.
Her research assists police canine units train cadaver-detection dogs deployed to forensic and mass
disaster investigations. Shari collaborates closely with state and federal police and fire and rescue
services. Her ground-breaking research has been awarded here and overseas.
Dr Xanthé Mallett
Based at the University of New England, British-born Xanthé Mallett collaborates in research with the UTS
Centre for Forensic Science. Over her career she has researched behavior patterns of pedophiles and
use of the Internet for orchestrating child sexual abuse. She has collaborated with the FBI in the field of
facial recognition and as a forensic anthropologist, has performed casework and research, including work
leading to pedophile prosecutions. Xanthe has been active in educational outreach, engaging young
people with the sciences and encouraging their pursuit of careers in science. She has co-presented a
number of BBC and National Geographic Channel documentaries in forensics and archeology and
remains a regular expert voice on radio and television, and crime-based series in Australia including
‘Wanted’ on Channel Ten. She is widely published in academic journals, books and popular media.