For immediate release
Melbourne to host renowned international forensics Congress
ANZPAA National Institute of Forensic Science is proud to announce that the 25th Congress of the International Society
for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) will be held in Melbourne on 2-7 September 2013. The successful joint bid between Flinder's
University South Australia and ANZPAA NIFS was announced at the 2011 ISFG Congress held in Vienna last week.
The ISFG is a renowned international association promoting scientific knowledge in the field of genetic markers analysed
for forensic purposes. The ISFG was founded in 1968 and represents more than 1100 members from over 60 countries.
Alastair Ross, Director of ANZPAA NIFS said that Australia was the ideal location to host the 25th Congress. Melbourne
is renowned for its international events and for the first time in its long history, the Congress would be held in the
Asian region.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to present high level and innovative research from Australia, New Zealand and the
Asia-pacific region. It will provide all participants with the ability to collaborate on an international level on key
challenges facing the profession," says Mr Ross.
The Bid attracted strong support from local forensic science agencies including financial support from Victoria Police
and the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau.
CEO of ANZPAA, Jon White commended the bid Committee on their success, saying; "Attracting this internationally renowned
and respected Congress to Australasia is a major coup for forensic science in our region. It will provide a forum for
professional development to many forensic scientists that might not normally be available to them. This Congress should
set the direction of the field for many years to come."
The bid Committee comprised of Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde (ANZPAA NIFS) and Professor Adrian Linacre (Flinders University).
Professor Linacre will lead the Organising Committee for the Melbourne Congress. ANZPAA NIFS, Flinder's University,
Victoria Police and Environmental Science Research New Zealand will also support this event. Many other forensic
laboratories have also expressed their support and commitment to the Congress.
ENDS