With more than a century’s experience in forensic science, ChemCentre has been the preferred laboratory for state authorities for defensible, high quality chemical analysis and testing. Our forensic science laboratory plays a key role in the administration of justice in Western Australia.
ChemCentre provides analytical services in forensic toxicology, trace evidence and drug characterisation for state and district coroners, the police and other government agencies. As such our forensic scientists regularly provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.
Our specialist team examines a range of evidence, including blood and urine samples from coronial investigations into sudden or unnatural deaths. Trained in mineralogy and unique instrumental analytical techniques, our experts also characterise trace evidence such as gunshot residues, paint, hair and fibres for criminal investigations.
We also assist WA Police in investigations of illicit and synthetic drugs and clandestine drug manufacture.
ChemCentre's physical evidence team has developed a world-leading fibres database which has attracted international attention. The database currently contains more than 20,000 fibres and continues to expand. The custom built database and search program allows the entire fibre collection to be sorted into groups based on fibre type, digital images and UV-visible absorption spectra. Evidence recovered from crime scences can then be compared with those in the database to assist in criminal investigations.