http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37629 2026-05-16T20:53:49Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195002 Title: Noel Sydney Hush (1924–2019) Authors: Rae, ID; Reimers, JR Abstract: Noel Hush left Sydney with his MSc in 1949 to work in Manchester, and then Bristol, before returning to the University of Sydney in 1971 as the inaugural professor of theoretical chemistry, the first such chair in Australia. His students and collaborators occupy senior positions in Australian and international universities. With theoreticians and experimentalists he researched electron transfer in electrochemical changes, between metal ions, in covalent bond frameworks, in surface chemistry of gold, and in complex organic and bio-organic molecules. He was a leader among Australian academics, protesting the restrictions placed on Russian Jewish scientists who wished to leave their homeland. He was elected to fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Society of London, and he continued research long after the formal retirement age. 2025-12-22T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194757 Title: DNA recovery from 3D printed firearms Authors: Oltrogger, FT; Howe, G; McNevin, D; Bolton, M; O’Driscoll, C; Woodcock, S Abstract: Over the last few years, additive manufacturing, by means of fused deposition modelling 3D printing, has become increasingly popular and accessible due to the relative low costs, flexibility, and continually lowering barriers for entry. Unfortunately, while this technology is not only used by hobbyists for creative or practical creation of custom objects using a variety of thermoplastic materials, they can also be used in the manufacture of firearms. From fully printed to hybrid designs, AM/3D printing has been used to produce parts for fully functional firearms capable of discharging conventional ammunition. The designs for such firearms can be easily found, downloaded and shared from the internet with 'enthusiasts' developing ever more sophisticated designs. In environments where lawful possession of firearms is strongly controlled, the ability to manufacture and assemble firearms through 3D printing technologies presents an increasing challenge for law enforcement, especially for forensic units tasked with collection, examination and recovery of evidence from these items. Forensic examination of 3D printed firearms can require a different approach compared to conventional firearms if maximum forensic intelligence is desired. Due to the decentralised and often individual nature of manufacture, biometric identification of both the handler/possessor and the manufacturer/assembler of the firearm can have investigative value. However, this can present a dilemma, as collection of biometric evidence from internal surfaces of the firearm typically requires dismantling of components which may affect functionality in subsequent test firing processes. This study aims to investigate DNA transfer and recovery on 3D printed firearms (Harlot pistols and FGC-9) in casework-inspired handling scenarios, to determine the most probative regions for the recovery of DNA originating from the assembler and handler of such firearms as well as determining the effect of firing (or test-firing) the firearm. The findings suggest that assembler DNA can be recovered from internal surfaces of the firearms, with significantly more DNA recovered from internal grip pieces than internal triggers. Further, the proportions of assembler DNA recovered on internal surfaces were significantly more than the proportions on external surfaces, based on contributor proportion percentages. In this study, test firing of the firearm, even up to 25 times, did not result in detectable DNA relocation onto internal surfaces from the individual conducting the test fires. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194756 Title: DNA transfer and recovery on 3D printed firearms Authors: Oltrogger, F; Kidd-Smith, A; Howe, G; Meakin, G; McNevin, D; Bolton, M; O’Driscoll, C 2026-03-16T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194754 Title: Comparison of Algorithms for Kinship Inference Using the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit. Authors: Di Scala, C; Grisedale, K; Ward, J; McNevin, D Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Forensic kinship analysis is a rapidly developing practice that uses genetic data to identify unknown persons of interest through their genetic relatives. It can be used to generate new leads in forensic investigations, especially those involving long-term missing persons and unidentified human remains. More recently, the advent of SNP profiling panels designed specifically for forensic use has led to the exploration of kinship analysis using medium-density SNP data. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which genetic relationships could be inferred using such data, and to assess the performance of different kinship inference methods. METHODS: Kinship analysis was performed with both real and simulated profiles using the panel of SNPs contained within the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit, with a wide range of relationship types and seven types of kinship inference methods. RESULTS: It was determined that kinship inferences were possible out to the fourth degree of kinship, and all inference methods analysed were equally effective when tested using simulated data. However, some variation between methods was observed when they were analysed using real sample data, suggesting that further study is needed using a larger sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that medium-density SNP data is sufficient for extended kinship inference out to the fourth degree, and that several kinship inference methods are suitable for use with the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence Kit. These findings will support its application in forensic investigations involving the inference of distant genetic relationships. 2026-03-23T00:00:00Z