Geoforensics and Information Management for crime Investigation (GIMI)

Project Staff - Rachel Parkinson

Rachel Parkinson BSc, MSc (Hons),

PhD student
Victoria University
Wellington, NZ

Rachel.Parkinson@esr.cri.nz

Current research activities

I am working in collaboration with The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd. My working research title is The Bacteria Associated with Human Decomposition and my expected completion date is November 2007.  I will be taking up a post-doctoral research position with ESR in December 2007.

My research interests include molecular soil analysis for both forensic and ecological purposes, as well as the microbiology associated with human decomposition.

Selected Publication and Presentations

• Ioana G. Petrisor, I.G., Parkinson, R.A., Horswell, J., Waters, J.M., Burgoyne, L.A., Catcheside, D.E.A., Dejonghe, W., Leys, N., Vanbroekhoven, K., Pattnaik, P.,  and Graves, D.  (2006).   Microbial Forensics.  In ‘Environmental Forensics: A Contaminant Specific Guide’ pp 227-251 Elsevier Press.
• Parkinson R, Horswell J, Cordiner S, Vass A, Chambers G, Sutherland B. (2004) Forensic DNA Profiling of Bacterial Communities in Soil. The Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Biennial Conference, Challenges and Changes 17th International Symposium of Forensic Sciences. Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand.
• Parkinson R, Horswell J, Vass A, Chambers G. (2006) What’s Eating You? The Bacteria Associated with Human Decomposition. The Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Biennial Conference, 18th International Symposium of Forensic Sciences. Perth, Western Australia.
• Parkinson R, Horswell J, Vass A, Chambers G. (2006) Mammalian Decomposition on Soil: A Forensic Time Since Death Investigation. New Zealand Soil Science Society Biennial Conference. Rotorua, New Zealand.