Sharon Birchall

Senior Forensic Scientist
Team Leader Document Examination
Forensic Science South Australia

Bachelor of Science

"My role as a forensic scientist has enabled me to apply accepted scientific principles to solve complex real-life problems." 

Monash University has formed a significant chapter in my life from both an academic and personal perspective.  It’s not only where I studied my undergraduate science degree but the first place that I moved away from home to live on campus, met my closest friends and employed me in my first two jobs.  Majoring in Cell Biology and Physiology lead to a part time position as technical assistant at Monash Medical Centre and then a full time research assistant position in the universities anatomy department.  My science degree and work experience provided a sound foundation on which I have built my career in forensic science.

I was fortunate to get into forensic science after applying for a trainee document examiner position advertised in a weekend newspaper.  Up until now, there has been no formal academic course that provides training in document examination.  The current format of the training is an apprenticeship in a government, police or private laboratory under the supervision of a qualified examiner.  A science degree or equivalent is a pre-requisite for entry into the profession.

I enjoy the variety in my work and the challenges that each case presents.  Document examination includes the comparison and identification of handwriting, signatures, inks, printed material, typewriting, alterations and indentations on documents.  Requests for examination may involve determining whether a signature on a document is genuine or whether the same writer has written all of the documents.  Optical enhancement techniques may reveal the original entries under obliterated writings or altered entries on a document.  These requests may relate to cases of fraud, homicides, threats, drugs, arson, sexual offences and other crimes.  The results may provide valuable evidence for the court and I am often called upon as an expert witness to present my findings in the courtroom.

My role as a forensic scientist has enabled me to apply accepted scientific principles to solve complex real-life problems.  The specialised nature of the job has allowed me to travel both interstate and overseas to attend workshops and present at conferences on the forensic sciences.  I have moved interstate a couple of times to work in different forensic laboratories.  I have faced some challenging cross-examination in the courtroom and worked on some interesting high profile cases.  I feel that the work that I do makes a difference to the community by providing objective and impartial scientific evidence to assist in the administration of the law.