Forensic Science Expertise From Crime Scene To Court

When Your Case Needs Unbiased, Experience-Based Forensic or DNA Expertise.

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Your Trusted Experts in Forensic Analysis

At Independent Forensic Services (IFS), we are recognised as Australia’s most sought-after and experienced forensic experts, trusted by criminal defence lawyers, barristers, and legal teams nationwide.

Our specialists provide independent forensic case reviews, critical evaluation of evidence and expert witness services across a wide range of disciplines - ensuring evidence is evaluated with precision, impartiality, and integrity.

Independent Forensic Review

When the stakes are high, you need more than the prosecution’s version of the science. Our team delivers unbiased, defence-focused reviews of forensic evidence, highlighting both its strengths and its limitations.

We meticulously examine laboratory reports, case files, and underlying data to uncover errors, misinterpretations, or oversights that could change the trajectory of a case.

Whether it’s DNA analysis, toxicology, forensic pathology, fingerprints, or chemical evidence, our independent reviews provide the clarity you need to challenge forensic evidence and ensure it is accurately reported to the courts.

Why Criminal Lawyers Choose IFS

Independence

We are not tied to law enforcement or prosecution laboratories. Our only obligation is to scientific truth.

Experience

Our team includes specialists with decades of casework across thousands of matters, from high-profile homicides to complex appeals.

Clarity

We translate technical science into straightforward language that lawyers and juries can understand.

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Strengthening Your Case with Trusted Experts

Our experts provide impartial, science and evidence-based reviews as well as expert evidence in court to support legal professionals in presenting and interpreting forensic evidence in court.

With extensive experience across various forensic disciplines, we specialise in breaking down complex scientific findings into clear, accessible language for judges, juries, and legal teams.

We work closely with legal professionals to ensure the evidence is not only accurate but also understood in the appropriate context.

From reviewing the integrity of evidence, evaluating the results of forensic testing, conducting our own testing to preparing for cross-examination, and the provision of expert evidence, our experts provide transparent, unbiased opinions that strengthen the credibility of your case.

Whether delivering in-depth analysis, addressing potential limitations of the evidence, or presenting findings confidently in court, our expert witness service is committed to upholding the highest standards of forensic integrity and reliability.

Expert Witness Services You Can Rely On

Our forensic experts are courtroom tested, with thousands of cases reviewed and appearances in every major Australian jurisdiction, as well as internationally. We provide:

  • Clear, impartial expert testimony in criminal trials, appeals, coronial inquests, and Commissions of Inquiry.
  • Reports that are court-compliant, precise, and persuasive, written to assist both judges and juries in understanding complex science.
  • Strategic support for legal teams, including cross-examination preparation and guidance on how forensic evidence may be challenged in court.
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Our Services

DNA Case Review

Independent evaluation of forensic evidence, laboratory processes, and expert conclusions within a case.

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Forensic Case Review

Independent evaluation of forensic evidence, laboratory processes, and expert conclusions within a case.

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Crime Scene Examination

Detection and collection of evidence from scenes of crime.

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Forensic Pathology

Our experts bring deep experience in injury interpretation and medical analysis.

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Forensic Toxicology

Detection and analysis of toxic substances, drugs, and alcohol in biological samples.

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Forensic Chemistry

Clear, reliable findings that are essential for criminal investigations.

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Fingerprint Analysis

Impartial, unbiased, and transparent approach to fingerprint and palm print identification

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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Interpretation of bloodstains to reconstruct the events leading to the bloodshed

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DNA Analysis

Linking suspects to crime scenes, verifying identities, and supporting legal proceedings by offering highly reliable data.

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Biological Fluid Testing

Our forensic experts specialise in conducting thorough examinations and re-examinations for the presence of biological fluids.

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STRmix™

Highly specialised insights and interpretations that go beyond routine DNA analysis.

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Expert Witness

We specialise in breaking down complex scientific findings into clear, accessible language for judges, juries, and legal teams.

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How We Can Help You

With Independent Forensic Services, you gain access to a team of experts.

Analysis

Forensic Analysis

We examine forensic evidence in our dedicated lab or at external sites.
All examinations follow strict scientific protocols for reliability.
SRT

Case Review

We critically assess reports and forensic processes for accuracy.
Our findings are clearly explained in a report that’s easy to understand.
Training

Expert Witness

We support legal teams with expert preparation.
Our evidence is always impartial, clear, and courtroom-ready.

Our Expert Witnesses

Reliable, Credible, and Experienced Forensic and DNA Expert Evidence in Criminal Cases

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Independent

As an independent forensic service provider, we offer unbiased and impartial analysis and reviews of forensic evidence. Our independence guarantees that our findings are based solely on scientific evidence, free from external influences. This objectivity is crucial in ensuring the credibility and reliability of our forensic reports.

Confidential

We understand the sensitive nature of forensic investigations. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our services. We handle all cases with the highest level of discretion, ensuring that your privacy and the integrity of the investigation are maintained at all times.

Trusted

Integrity is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ethical practices and uphold the highest standards of honesty and transparency in all our investigations. You can trust that our findings are accurate, thoroughly vetted, and presented with complete integrity.

Professional

Our team adheres to the highest standards in forensic science, ensuring that every case is handled with the utmost care and precision. We strive for excellence in all our services, providing reliable and accurate forensic analysis.

Highly Experienced

Our team comprises forensic experts with extensive experience across various forensic disciplines. With years of practical experience and advanced training, our professionals bring a wealth of knowledge to each investigation. This expertise ensures that we deliver top-tier forensic solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Approachable

We work closely with you, offering guidance and support throughout the investigation, ensuring you feel confident and informed. Our team is approachable and dedicated to making the forensic process understandable and straightforward.

Australia’s first consultancy authorised for independent STRmix analysis.

STRmix™ enables precise and transparent DNA evidence interpretation, offering greater accuracy in forensic investigations. This advanced software allows for the separation and analysis of complex DNA profiles in ways traditional methods cannot, delivering more reliable conclusions that stand up in court.

At Independent Forensic Services, our experts have worked on thousands of operational cases and have provided expert evidence in hundreds of courtrooms across Australia and internationally. With extensive experience in forensic DNA analysis, we ensure that STRmix™ evaluations are conducted with scientific rigour, objectivity, and clarity, helping legal professionals understand both the strengths and limitations of the evidence.

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JaeGerhard

An Expert Team Lead by Jae Gerhard

Jae Gerhard is a Forensic DNA Expert and the Principal Forensic Scientist at Independent Forensic Services, bringing over two decades of frontline experience in forensic biology. She has worked on some of Australia’s most complex and high‑profile cases with the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police, as well as international disaster victim identification operations in Bali and Thailand.

Specialising in DNA analysis, STRmix™, biological fluid examination, and bloodstain pattern interpretation, Jae now works independently with criminal defence teams to review and challenge forensic evidence. Her mission is simple: to ensure the science presented in court is accurate, balanced, and truly understood.

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Our Client Testimonials

"I have had the pleasure of briefing Jae Gerhard as an expert witness in a range of matters. What continues to impress me about Jae’s work is her ability to summarise complex issues and dense material, identify what additional documents and material she requires to provide her opinion, interpret others findings and where necessary critically analyse those findings, and most importantly crystalise the issues and provide expert evidence about those issues. When a matter is outside her area of expertise, Jae helpfully identifies additional experts that may need to be engaged. In a recent matter, Jae provided an expert opinion that supported an exculpatory version for our client’s DNA that was either overlooked and or not acknowledged by numerous expert witnesses for the other side. The report formed a critical part in having the proceedings discontinued."

Tom Taylor

Partner

“As the largest criminal legal practice in the Northern Territory, our service is reliant upon being able to access expertise quickly and of the highest calibre for our clients. Jae Gerhard is the expert I turn to for assistance oncomplex DNA cases and she has always been accessible, professional and able to explain complex information in a manner I can understand, and then make my clients understand. I highly recommend her and her team, you can be reassured you will be dealing with the best experts in this area.”

Tania M Collins

General Counsel - North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

"Thank you for your knowledge and professionalism, without which, I might have left a few stones unturned. With your invaluable advice I look forward to turning over a few more."

Tim Sullivan

Barrister

"I want to extend my thanks on behalf of the defence legal team and the accused (and his family) for all your efforts.
I am pleased to advise your report assisted in the Prosecution discontinuing the case against our client.
I am very grateful for all your efforts and look forward to working together in the future."

Hassan Hamka

Solicitor - Orange Legal Group

I had the pleasure of working with Jae Gerhard from Independent Forensic Services on a complicated issues of DNA evidence in a criminal Trial in Victoria in 2022.

The Trial involved an issue of interpreting the possible scenarios by which DNA was deposited on items of clothing, and Jae provided her reports in a good and timely way.

Those reports were excellently researched as well as being very easy to understand.

We spoke for a long time before Jae eventually gave sworn evidence at the Trial, and she was able to describe to me in completely understandable language why it was that the conclusions that had been reached in the case by the police funded Victorian Forensic Services Laboratory were able to be challenged.

Jae then followed that up by giving evidence in the Trial. She was an excellent and thoroughly knowledgeable witness who was able to describe things in a completely comprehensible way.

The result of all of this was that the DNA evidence in the Trial was excluded – as it should have been.

So, I have no hesitation in recommending the expert services of Independent Forensic Services in general and of Jae Gerhart in particular wherever an issue to do with DNA evidence arises.

Chris Pearson

Barrister

"Jae has the ability to quickly get to the heart of the issue in terms a non-scientist can understand. She is sensitive to the demands of court proceedings and easy to talk to. She responds directly to what you think you need to know, but also clearly communicates the things you didn’t realise you needed to know. Her high-quality reports are invaluable in proceedings. I highly recommend her services."

Caitlin Akthar

Barrister - Forbes Chambers

"I refer to the above Inquiry. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the assistance you have provided in sharing your expertise through the provision of information and evidence. This assistance made a significant contribution to the work of the Inquiry and as such will also be
acknowledged formally in the Inquiry's final report"

The Honourable Justice John Sackar

Commissioner

Need an Expert Witness?

Our primary service at Independent Forensic Services is the provision of independent forensic expert evidence. This comprehensive service includes the thorough review and examination of forensic casefiles to ensure the integrity of the results. Our experts qualify the reliability of the forensic evidence, identify opportunities for further examination, and highlight any limitations in the evidence.

We produce detailed reports outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each case. Our services are available across all Australian jurisdictions and internationally. In court, we appear as expert witnesses, presenting our findings clearly and effectively.

Additionally, we assist legal teams in preparing lines of questioning for examination and cross-examination, ensuring a thorough and strategic approach to each case.

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