Year 12 student Isobella examines what a future career in STEM could look like at the AFP Forensics Lab. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Is that blood or chocolate on a victim’s shirt? What can be revealed under the microscope? And could a suspect’s fingerprints be on a bottle left at the crime scene?
These are just some of the questions Year 12 Canberra schoolgirls got to answer as they had a glimpse into how their science studies could be used at the AFP Forensics lab.
More than 60 students from 21 high schools spoke with scientists in the field and participated in hands-on demonstrations with officers, learning about the agency’s scientific capabilities.
AFP Principal Forensic Scientist Dr Kylie Jones said it was encouraging to see the next generation of scientists nearing the end of their schooling and eager to pursue their interest in science.
“We want to really provide that one opportunity for them to spark their interest in the future. We need the future of forensic scientists to be enthused, to be excited about this as a potential career, and we’re hoping that bringing students in gives them that opportunity to really see what a career in the AFP and in forensic science might look like,” she said.
“There’s the old saying ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, so it’s important we show these students they can chase a meaningful career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and with an agency such as the AFP, where they can help to protect and safeguard the community.”
There are about 400 staff working in AFP forensics-related jobs, and 53 per cent of them are women.
But according to the latest STEM gender equity data, only 37 per cent of university STEM enrolments are women, and women represent just 15 per cent of all people working in STEM-related jobs.
The 2023–24 Youth in STEM survey showed no improvement in girls’ ratings of the importance of STEM knowledge for their future employment.
Dr Jones said the statistics for women in STEM industries needed to change.
“For us, it’s really about putting a little bit more effort in, locally, within Australia, to see if we can shift those numbers,” she said.
“We do have equal workforce participation here in AFP forensics … that just brings such a richness to the environment, that diversity of thinking, diversity of perspective is really, really important, and we believe it’s important in all types of STEM.
“This visit is likely one of the first, or only, times these students will have had an opportunity to both see an up-close example of the scientific work we do and meet our forensic staff. What we hope is that their experiences today serve as encouragement to pursue a future in the industry.”
The exposure definitely seemed to be rubbing off on the students.
Gungahlin College Year 12 student Isobella’s mother works in infectious diseases, and having that female role model gave her the added confidence and belief that she could pursue her scientific interests.
“I’ve been really interested in forensic biology and genetics for a while, so I wanted to come [on the AFP Forensics visit] and see what it’s like and get more of a perspective of how to get into STEM in this way,” she said.
For any girl who might dismiss the idea of studying science in high school, Isobella advised approaching it with an open mind.
“You have to apply yourself to enjoy any of it. If you go into it thinking ‘oh this is so lame and boring’, you’re not going to have fun,” she said.
“But if you kind of allow yourself to find things interesting and fun, it gets a lot more enjoyable. Let yourself enjoy it.”
Dr Jones also offered this advice to any students who felt intimidated by STEM subjects, particularly maths.
“I think mathematics in particular is probably the thing that kids either grow up loving or hating. I wasn’t strong in maths, but I have now gone back to do a data science degree,” she said.
“I think it’s really a sort of a fear hurdle for a lot of kids. But a lot of science doesn’t have a lot of maths, so there is a place and a role for everybody.
“You don’t have to be good at everything in here; you can pick your own adventure and find something that fits.”
