It is Science Week 2020, and to celebrate we are featuring some of the staff in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Forensic Services Group.
Meet our DNA Management Officer, who takes us through her role at a molecular level…
Name: Olivia McIntyre
Rank: AO4 / DNA Management Officer
Branch: Forensic Services Group, DNA Management Section
Year joined QPS: 2000
Introducing Olivia McIntyre from the DNA Management Section
What is the most interesting part of your job?
The dynamic nature of the field of forensic science means that technology is always changing.
I enjoy keeping myself across a range of emerging DNA technologies so that I can provide accurate advice to both the forensic and investigative personnel, doing my part to assist them in solving crimes through DNA identifications.
It is my passionate interest in this field that has kept me motivated since I joined the DNA Management Section 18 years ago.
I really enjoy coming to work knowing I have such an important role to play.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I work within a small team where my role entails liaison with our DNA analysis provider, and where I review, assess and quality control DNA results.
I use various DNA and forensic databases to provide advice to forensic and investigative personnel, enabling intelligence driven DNA analysis to help progress police investigations.
This comprehensive service, offering case conferencing, visual presentation of links with guidance on significance and relativity, is provided for major crimes across Queensland, keeping me very busy and forever challenged.
What is your most memorable moment in this role?
I have had numerous memorable moments over the last 18 years.
I have been privileged to work with investigative and forensic personnel during the rapidly unfolding stages of major investigations, including some high profile cases.
I have also worked with the Cold Case Investigation Team where I was able to play a key role in the identification of a previously unknown offender for a cold case homicide.
In this case, I was able to identify similarities between a DNA profile from a sample within the crime scene and that of a person of interest.
This DNA identification lead to the arrest of an offender for a 40-year-old cold case homicide investigation and the resolution of this matter for both the victim’s family and the investigators who had been working on this case for many years.
We will continue to showcase unique science-oriented roles within the QPS Forensic Services Group throughout the week.
For information about how to join the Queensland Police Service, visit the recruiting website: policerecruit.com.au
