Around 50 people enjoyed the courtroom eventAround 50 students and community members have enjoyed a mock trial in Rockhampton featuring some of Australia's leading forensic scientists and local legal experts.

The case last Friday November 23 was decided by a jury of budding forensic scientists along with CSI-style TV enthusiasts, with a finding of 'not guilty'.

Organised by the Tall Poppy Campaign, in association with Central Queensland University, secondary school and university students, community groups and people with an interest in forensic science took part in Science and the Law: A Day in Court at CQU's Old Supreme Court building, East Street.

The mock jury was asked to listen to evidence presented by expert witnesses in a case and to decide the outcome of the case. They heard opposing arguments by expert witnesses and observed the rigour of cross-examination.

Solicitor and former Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Investigations Manager and now Senior Lecturer in Property Studies at CQU, Dr Kristy Richardson played the role of judge in the case, while CQU's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Jennelle Kyd and new Professor of Biomedical Sciences (Environmental Microbiology) Professor Rob Reed played the part of forensic experts. CQU's legal advisor Wayne Jones and CQU Senior Lecturer in Law Robert Fisher took on the role of case lawyers for the event.

Dr Simon Walsh, Professor Jennelle Kyd, Professor Claude Roux and Dorothy Davis from Tall PoppiesThey were joined by University of Technology Sydney's Dr Simon Walsh who is an expert in forensic DNA profiling and Professor Claude Roux, an expert in areas such as trace evidence (fibres, paint, glass etc), document examination (inks, toners), fingerprints and other forms of physical evidence.  Professor Kyd, Professor Roux and Dr Walsh are all winners of the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.

Professor Kyd said CQU saw the mock trial as an excellent way to present science, particularly forensic science, to the Rockhampton community and to encourage those interested in science to see how experts can use their knowledge.

"Forensic science has become really popular in the last few years with television shows such as CSI drawing huge audiences. While these shows portray a ‘creative side' that is different to reality, they are correct that advances in science and technology are used to analyse evidence.

"We hope that this event encourages high school students and other interested members of the public to consider careers in science as an exciting option."

Professor Reed said forensic science tuition is offered within undergraduate science programs such as the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science degrees at CQU, including Introduction to Forensic Science course, at level 1, plus an advanced course in Forensic Chemistry.

He also said many of the techniques used by forensic analysts are taught within other science modules at CQU, for example DNA analysis within the Molecular Biology course and separation techniques within the Analytical Science course.

But more importantly, these degrees provide a pathway to many interesting science career options.

CQU also offers the course Introduction to Forensic Science through its SUN (Start Uni Now) program. SUN gives high school students in years 10 to 12 the opportunity to study university courses while still in school.

Dr Kristy Richardson played the judge at the mock trial
Participants gather during the event
Expert witnesses take part