Hawkesbury. Study to boost forensic standards

A new University of Western Sydney research venture, to be undertaken by a staff member awarded a 2008 Churchill Fellowship, would ensure that Australia's forensic scientists and crime scene investigators are of a global standard, the university said. Jennie Nelson, from the School of Natural Sciences, will travel to the United Kingdom and Canada, in 2009, to investigate the best practice procedures of forensic investigation. As part of the study, Ms Nelson would analyse the procedures used to induct staff, manage professional development, and supervise occupational health and safety, in various universities and forensic institutions. The UWS Hawkesbury campus is the base for the only 'crime scene house' in NSW – a dedicated training facility which allows students to practice forensic science skills such as detecting and analysing footprints, fingerprinting, blood spatter and glass evidence.

Region. Thales plans to benefit the west

The five-year plans of Thales Australia, the Sydney-based arm of the French defence aerospace giant, to expand its civil work would benefit the company’s activities in Western Sydney. “There are a number of opportunities in the growth of our commercial business, in particular rail and transport business, which will impact positively on our growth in Western Sydney. However, we can’t provide concrete details at the moment,“ a company spokesperson said. The company has around 370 employees at its Rydalmere facility, which is the home of Thales Underwater Systems, as well as parts of its Security, Solutions & Services business. It also has around 70 employees at the Orchard Hills logistics facility and 15 at St Marys.