From Locard’s Principle to agile: Forensics beyond the scene
by Madelen Chikhani, Senior Consultant
When people think of forensic work, they often imagine crime dramas and forensic investigators in pristine lab coats. Like many, my journey started far from the spotlight, but it shaped the skills and mindset that now support real-world public safety outcomes.
One of the first principles you learn in forensics is Locard’s Principle: that every contact leaves a trace.
I didn’t know it at the time, but that idea would shape my career well beyond the crime scene.
Learning the foundations at the crime scene
I’ve always enjoyed biology and science, so when it came time to apply for university, a science degree majoring in forensic biology just made sense. Fast forward more than a decade, and I’ve worked as a forensic biologist and crime scene officer across high-volume crime, fingerprint analysis, and major crime investigations, supporting policing and justice outcomes in complex operational environments.
As a crime scene officer in major crime, my responsibilities extended well beyond attending scenes. I examined and documented scenes through photography and detailed notes, and collected evidence including DNA, fingerprints, and physical exhibits for further laboratory analysis. The work didn’t stop when I left the scene or the lab. In many cases, I prepared court reports and was required to give evidence in court, reinforcing just how critical accuracy, traceability, and defensibility are across the entire forensic process, from scene to court.
Seeing forensic work at scale
At the end of 2020, I felt ready for a new challenge and moved into a role as an accreditation specialist with the National Association for Testing Authorities, Australia. This role took me across the country, auditing forensic laboratories and assessing their compliance with accreditation standards. It was during this time that I first encountered the forensic-register, a forensic case management system with an integrated laboratory information management capability, used by many forensic laboratories across Australia to manage the forensic lifecycle.
Through my audits, I learned that the forensic-register was designed by forensic practitioners, for forensic practitioners. More importantly, it supports the rigorous requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and AS 5388, providing laboratories with a system of record that stands up to scrutiny, not just in audits, but in court, where public trust in forensic evidence ultimately rests.
Through this work, I also came to understand bdna’s role in running and supporting the forensic-register across forensic laboratories and public safety organisations. When I saw that bdna was recruiting to support one of its largest forensic-register implementation projects, I initially questioned whether I had the right skills for the role.
After speaking with some of bdna’s leaders, it became clear that the experience I’d gained in frontline forensics and accreditation was directly relevant. My attention to detail, resilience, clear communication, and ability to make decisions under pressure were the same skills I relied on in forensics. They are also the skills needed to deliver forensic systems into live operational environments, where policing, laboratories, and courts intersect.
Leaving hands-on forensic work wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s one I’m glad I made. I did miss being a scientist, but working at bdna gives me the opportunity to contribute to forensic outcomes at scale. Instead of focusing on individual cases, I am now helping to implement systems that support hundreds of practitioners and thousands of cases, enabling consistent, defensible practice from crime scene through to court.
The first few months were a period of adjustment. Rather than aiming for perfection, I focused on being curious. I asked questions, took notes, and learned how forensic operations, technology, and delivery intersect beyond the scene and the laboratory. Agile ways of working were new to me, but they quickly made sense in an environment where priorities shift, operational risk is real, and systems must support decision-making under pressure.
Why my background still matters
Nearly three years on, I’ve grown into my role and found confidence in the impact of the work we do. I’m proud to have been involved in the successful implementation of the forensic-register on one of bdna’s largest delivery projects, helping forensic organisations strengthen governance, improve efficiency, and maintain defensible evidence handling.
Taking that leap three years ago led me exactly where I’m meant to be. My forensic background continues to shape how I approach every project, grounding my work in operational reality and public trust. I’m excited to be part of bdna’s ongoing mission to improve society through public safety technology, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the forensic-register continues to evolve to meet the changing demands of forensic science.
Looking back, Locard’s Principle still applies. Every decision, system, and handover leaves a trace, all the way from scene to court.
