Expert Witness

Strengthening Your Case with Trusted Expert Evidence

Our expert witness service provides impartial expert evidence 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 to preparing for cross-examination, 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.

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.

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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Expert Witness

Strengthening Your Case with Trusted Expert Evidence

Our Expert Witnesses

Independent

Confidential

Trusted

Professional

Highly Experienced

Approachable

An Expert Team Lead by Jae Gerhard

Our Client Testimonials

Tom Taylor

Partner

Tania M Collins

General Counsel - North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

Tim Sullivan

Barrister

Hassan Hamka

Solicitor - Orange Legal Group

Chris Pearson

Barrister

Caitlin Akthar

Barrister - Forbes Chambers

The Honourable Justice John Sackar

Commissioner

Need an Expert Witness?

Unbiased, Experience Based Forensic Opinions From crime scene to court, the answers are in our analysis.