Welcome to ForensiPod, where hosts Ali Ross and Professor Stephen Cordner from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine take you on a deep dive into the world of forensic science.
MEET YOUR HOSTS:
Alistair Ross
Alastair is a former director of the ANZPAA National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS), Australia being the inaugural Director from 1992 to 2003.
From 2003 to 2008 Alastair was Director of the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, a full service forensic facility with over 300 staff. He returned as director of NIFS from 2008 to 2015.
Alastair is currently Forensic Medicine Unit Coordinator, Graduate and Undergraduate, Academic Programs at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. He holds positions of Adjunct Professor at the University of Tasmania and Fellow of the Leverhulme Institute, University of Dundee, Scotland and is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
He was awarded the Adelaide Medal by the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) for services to forensic science internationally and the John Harber Phillips’ Award for services to forensic science in Australia and New Zealand.
Professor Cordner has a particular expertise in mass casualty management, disaster victim identification and international forensic medical capacity development.
He is particularly committed to teaching and has undertaken or organised specialist forensic medical training in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Uganda, Namibia, Palestine and Afghanistan.
Professor Cordner deployed to the Philippines for a month in late 2013 to provide advice to the WHO on mass casualty management following the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan. In 2014 he deployed to Liberia for the ICRC to provide advice on Ebola infection control related to dead body management. Professor Cordner travelled to Nepal in 2015 following the earthquakes for the ICRC to provide advice on disaster victim identification.
He has worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and has undertaken forensic medical investigative work in Kosovo; East Timor; Fiji; and Bali as well as extensive case work in Australia.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to forensic medicine and pathology nationally and internationally.
In this podcast series, Ali and Stephen explore the critical role of forensic science in the justice system. From discussing the journeys of leading forensic professionals to examining the fundamentals of forensic science and its application in criminal investigations, each episode provides a comprehensive look at the field.
Episode 1, now available, kicks off with insights from Australia’s top forensic experts. They share their personal journeys and current roles managing leading forensic science organisations, offering listeners a firsthand understanding of the challenges and advancements in the field.
Listen to ForensiPod now on Spotify,Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform to uncover the science behind solving crimes and supporting justice.
