Career highlights
Jul 2020 - Present: Lecturer, Forensic Science, Deakin University
Feb 2020 – Jul 2020: Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Deakin University
- Awarded a two-year fellowship to continue conducting studies on the variables influencing the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of biological materials.
Nov 2017 - Nov 2020: Industry Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Deakin University & Victoria Police Forensic Services Department
- Awarded a three-year Fellowship from Deakin University and the Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist of the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department.
- Engaged with professionals from a range of disciplines both nationally and internationally to conduct collaborative studies on the variables influencing DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery, with outcomes directly applicable to casework laboratories.
Feb 2014 - Aug 2017: Doctoral Research, Deakin University
- In collaboration with the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, I performed forensic casework simulations to acquire empirical data on DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (DNA-TPPR) and applied probabilistic interpretation methods to weigh the DNA findings given activity level propositions.
Research interests
- Transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (TPPR) of biological material
- Evaluation of forensic evidence and its reporting
Affiliations
Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) - member since 2012 and Victorian Branch Committee Member since 2017.
International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) - member since 2014.
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) - member since 2016.
Teaching interests
- Forensic biology
- Forensic statistics
- The reporting of forensic evidence
Conferences
- 2019 - 28th International Congress of International Society for Forensic Genetics, Prague, Czech Republic
- 2018 - 2nd Gordon Research Conference on the Forensic Analysis of Human DNA, Maine, United States.
- 2018 - 24th International Symposium of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Perth, Australia.
- 2017 - 27th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), Seoul, South Korea.
- 2016 - 23rd International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS), Auckland, New Zealand.
- 2015 - 26th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), Krakow, Poland.
- 2015 - 7th European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS) Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
- 2014 - 22nd International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS), Adelaide, Australia.
- 2013 - 25th Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), Melbourne, Australia.
Professional activities
2022 – Current: Senior Editor, Annals of Human Genetics
2018 – Current: Statistics and the Evaluation of Forensic Evidence, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), University of Lausanne
2017 – Current: Provide advice and expert opinion to those in the justice system regarding biological evidence.
Research groups
External Collaborators
- Dr Roland van Oorschot - Victoria Police Forensic Services Department
- Dr Georgina Meakin - University College London / University of Technology Sydney
- Dr Bas Kokshoorn - Netherlands Forensic Institute
Awards
Prizes, Awards & Scholarships
- Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) National Travel Award (2020) awarded by the ANZFSS Executive for attendance at the International Association of Forensic Science and ANZFSS International Symposia (cancelled due to COVID-19).
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Publication Reward (2020, 2019, 2018) awarded by Deakin University for the output of high-quality publications.
- Best Literature Review in the ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards (2019) awarded by the National Institute of Forensic Science of the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency.
- First Prize in Britain’s Posters in Parliament (2019) awarded to co-supervised MSc student Alice Pistono of University College London by British MPs toward innovative research that meets current global challenges.
- Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) National & State Travel Awards (2018) awarded by the ANZFSS Executive (National and Victoria Branch) for attendance at the 25th International Symposium.
- Gordon Research Conference (GRC) invited speaker scholarship (2018) awarded by the GRC to support invited speaker attendance at the conference.
- International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) Young Scientist Travel Award (2017) awarded by the ISFG Executive for attendance at the 27th International Congress.
- Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Publication Incentive Award (2017) awarded by Deakin University for the output of high-quality publications by a HDR candidate.
- Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) National & State Travel Awards (2016) awarded by the ANZFSS Executive (National and Victoria Branch) for attendance at the 24th International Symposium.
- Loch Postgraduate Research Award (2016) awarded by Deakin University for outstanding achievement and research endeavour.
- Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2014) awarded by Deakin University to support high-achieving doctoral research candidates.
Publications
J Reither, D Taylor, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot
(2024), Vol. 68, pp. 102977-102977, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Netherlands, C1
D Hughes, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot, X Conlan
(2024), Vol. 354, pp. 1-10, Forensic Science International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
D Hughes, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot, X Conlan
(2024), Vol. 356, Forensic Science International, C1
Deborah Hughes, Roland van Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta, Xavier Conlan
(2024), pp. 1-8, Journal of Forensic Sciences, London, Eng., C1
D Hughes, B Szkuta, R Oorschot, X Conlan
(2023), Vol. 343, pp. 111546-111546, Forensic Science International, Ireland, C1
Jack Reither, Duncan Taylor, Bianca Szkuta, Roland van Oorschot
(2023), Vol. 65, pp. 1-11, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Effect of swabbing technique and duration on forensic DNA recovery
A Abdullah, B Szkuta, G Meakin
(2023), Vol. 63, pp. 343-348, Science and Justice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
DNA transfer to placed, stored, and handled drug packaging and knives in houses
J Reither, R van Oorschot, A Durdle, B Szkuta
(2023), Vol. 65, pp. 1-13, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Presence of Human DNA on Household Dogs and Its Bi-Directional Transfer
H Monkman, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot
(2023), Vol. 14, pp. 1-13, Genes, Basel, Switzerland, C1
D Hughes, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot, X Conlan
(2022), Vol. 330, pp. 1-7, Forensic Science International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
DNA transfer between worn clothing and flooring surfaces with known histories of use
Jack Reither, R van Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta
(2022), Vol. 61, pp. 102765-102765, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Reither, E Gray, A Durdle, X Conlan, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta
(2021), Vol. 318, Forensic Science International, Ireland, C1
Evaluating forensic DNA evidence: Connecting the dots
Georgina Meakin, Bas Kokshoorn, Roland Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta
(2021), Vol. 3, pp. 1-19, WIREs Forensic Science, Chichester, Eng., C1
Identifying background microbiomes in an evidence recovery laboratory: A preliminary study
A Neckovic, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, A Durdle
(2021), Vol. 61, pp. 280-290, Science and Justice, England, C1
D Hughes, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot, W Yang, X Conlan
(2021), Vol. 23, Forensic Chemistry, C1
Investigation into the presence and transfer of microbiomes within a forensic laboratory setting
A Neckovic, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, A Durdle
(2021), Vol. 52, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Netherlands, C1
DNA transfer in forensic science: recent progress towards meeting challenges
R van Oorschot, G Meakin, B Kokshoorn, M Goray, B Szkuta
(2021), Vol. 12, Genes, Switzerland, C1
DNA detection of a temporary and original user of an office space
M Goray, B Kokshoorn, K Steensma, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot
(2020), Vol. 44, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Netherlands, C1
Investigation of direct and indirect transfer of microbiomes between individuals
A Neckovic, Roland van Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta, A Durdle
(2020), Vol. 45, pp. 1-7, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Prevalence of DNA from the driver, passengers and others within a car of an exclusive driver
T Boyko, B Szkuta, R Mitchell, R van Oorschot
(2020), Vol. 307, Forensic Science International, Ireland, C1
B Szkuta, R Ansell, L Boiso, E Connolly, A Kloosterman, B Kokshoorn, L McKenna, K Steensma, R van Oorschot
(2020), Vol. 46, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Netherlands, C1
Challenges in human skin microbial profiling for forensic science: a review
A Neckovic, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, A Durdle
(2020), Vol. 11, pp. 1-16, Genes, Switzerland, C1
DNA transfer in forensic science: A review
Roland van Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta, Georgina Meakin, Bas Kokshoorn, Mariya Goray
(2019), Vol. 38, pp. 140-166, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Szkuta, R Ansell, L Boiso, E Connolly, A Kloosterman, B Kokshoorn, L McKenna, K Steensma, R van Oorschot
(2019), Vol. 42, pp. 56-68, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
The effect of climatic simulations on DNA persistence on glass, cotton and polyester
C Chen, A Pistono, S Ryan, B Szkuta, G Meakin
(2019), Vol. 7, pp. 274-276, Forensic science international: genetics supplement series, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Background DNA on flooring: The effect of cleaning
J Reither, E Gray, A Durdle, X Conlan, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta
(2019), Vol. 7, pp. 787-790, Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, C1
The presence of background DNA on common entry points to homes
B Szkuta, J Reither, X Conlan, R van Oorschot
(2019), Vol. 7, pp. 784-786, Forensic science international: genetics supplement series, Amstrdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Szkuta, K Ballantyne, B Kokshoorn, R van Oorschot
(2018), Vol. 33, pp. 84-97, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Bas Kokshoorn, Lambertus Aarts, Ricky Ansell, Edward Connolly, Weine Drotz, Ate Kloosterman, Louise McKenna, Bianca Szkuta, Roland van Oorschot
(2018), Vol. 37, pp. 260-269, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Transfer and persistence of DNA on the hands and the influence of activities performed
B Szkuta, K Ballantyne, R van Oorschot
(2017), Vol. 28, pp. 10-20, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes
B Szkuta, R van Oorschot, K Ballantyne
(2017), Vol. 277, pp. 41-50, Forensic science international, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
An inter-laboratory comparison study on transfer, persistence and recovery of DNA from cable ties
K Steensma, R Ansell, L Clarisse, E Connolly, A Kloosterman, L McKenna, R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, B Kokshoorn
(2017), Vol. 31, pp. 95-104, Forensic Science International: Genetics, Netherlands, C1
R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, K Ballantyne, M Goray
(2017), Vol. 6, pp. e32-e34, Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, Shannon, Clare Ireland, C1
Trace DNA profiling in missing persons investigations
R van Oorschot, B Szkuta, T Verdon, R Mitchell, K Ballantyne
(2016), pp. 353-363, Handbook of missing persons, Berlin, Germany, B1
M Goray, S Fowler, B Szkuta, R van Oorschot
(2016), Vol. 23, pp. 190-196, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
DNA transfer by examination tools--a risk for forensic casework?
B Szkuta, B Szkuta, M Harvey, M Harvey, K Ballantyne, K Ballantyne, R van Oorschot, R van Oorschot
(2015), Vol. 16, pp. 246-254, Forensic science international: genetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Potential degrading effect of sodium hypochlorite on exhibits containing DNA
B Szkuta, B Szkuta, K Ballantyne, K Ballantyne, R Oorschot, R Oorschot
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. 58-54, Forensic science international: genetics supplement series, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Activities between activities of focus-Relevant when assessing DNA transfer probabilities
R van Oorschot, R van Oorschot, D McColl, D McColl, J Alderton, J Alderton, M Harvey, M Harvey, R Mitchell, R Mitchell, B Szkuta, B Szkuta
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. e75-e77, Forensic science international: genetics supplement series, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Residual DNA on examination tools following use
B Szkuta, B Szkuta, M Harvey, M Harvey, K Ballantyne, K Ballantyne, R van Oorschot, R van Oorschot
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. 495-497, Forensic science international: genetics supplement series, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
The potential transfer of trace DNA via high risk vectors during exhibit examination
B Szkuta, B Szkuta, M Harvey, M Harvey, K Ballantyne, K Ballantyne, O van, O van
(2013), Vol. 4, Forensic science international : genetics supplement series, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
Jack Reither
Thesis entitled: Trace DNA in a forensic context: Variables impacting its transfer, persistence, and prevalence
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Deborah Hughes
Thesis entitled: Substrate and Deposit Interactions and the Implications to Forensic Casework
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Ana Neckovic
Thesis entitled: Investigation into the transfer of human microbiomes in forensic science
Doctor of Philosophy (Biol & Chem), School of Life and Environmental Sciences