Brendan Chapman
BSc (Hons)

I’m a Forensic Scientist with professional experience in both Forensic Biology and Crime Scene Investigation. I have worked on thousands of serious crimes throughout Western Australia including the management of numerous high profile homicide and serious assault investigations over my 12 year career. My particular area of expertise is in Forensic DNA analysis particularly with respect to qPCR, microsatelite analysis, metagenomics and SNP typing.

My research interests include both forensic genetics and crime scene-based projects with a growing interest in the field of Digital Forensic metering challenges. I’m interested in expanding the capability at Murdoch for “niche” forensic genetic techniques that apply to historic cold cases and unsolved murders through techniques such as next-generation sequencing and specialised DNA recovery techniques.

I have done consultation work as both a defence expert and worked on a number of historic, cold cases and am available for advice with regards to these matters.

C1131 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE (PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE)

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/course-details/graduate-certificate-in-forensic-science-(professional-practice)-(gradcertforsc(professionalpractice))#

G1085 GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN FORENSIC SCIENCE (PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE)

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/course-details/graduate-diploma-in-forensic-science-professional-practice# 

M1255 MASTER OF FORENSIC SCIENCE (PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE)

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/course-details/Master-of-Forensic-Science-(Professional-Practice)-(MForSc(ProfessionalPractice))#

M1292 MASTER OF FORENSIC SCIENCE (PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH)

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/course-details/master-of-forensic-science-professional-practice-and-research#

Forensic genetics

Forensic genomics

Metagenomics

Next-generation (Massively Parallel) Sequencing

Low template analysis

Molecular probes and capture arrays

Clandestine grave site recovery

Bioinformatics

Molecular surveillance techniques

Cold case review

qPCR

Crime scene investigation

Digital forensics

TWITTER @brendanforensic

INSTAGRAM @murdochforensic

SKYPE live:brendan.chapman_2

MASTER COMPLETIONS

Sim, J. (2018). The evaluation of in-field whole genome sequencing using the minION nanopore sequencer for forensic DNA applications(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/41414/

Morahan, E. (2018). Wearable activity monitors on crime scene investigators for monitoring geolocation and physiological indicators of stress and fatigue(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/41475/

Keeffe, H. (2018). Wrist-based device accelerometer analysis for establishing thresholds of various violent attacks(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/43066/

Howard, E. (2018). A Comprehensive Review of Various Substrates Commonly Encountered at Crime Scenes and their Fluorescence Characteristics using the Polilight Flare®Plus 2(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/42964/

Gregory, D. (2018). Cryptocurrency and its forensic significance(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/42681/

Dunhill, T. (2018). Meta-Analysis of the Secondary Transfer of DNA(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/41439/

Almeida, T. De. (2018). RFID tags for the expedition of body part processing in large scale disaster victim identification incidents: A cost and feasibility pilot study(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/43037/

Booth, N. (2018). DNA recovery from fired hollow point ammunition(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/41456/

Bandy, K. (2018). The cutting edge: A comparison of cross-sectioning methods for forensic analysis(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/

Nguyen, K. (2018). PlastiDip as a Tool for Lifting Cellular Material from Rough Surfaces(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/

Nutton, L. (2017). Detection of Male Human DNA from Whole Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) Larvae using the Quantifiler®Trio DNA Quantification Kit(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/37833/

Rampant, S. (2017). The effects of a detonation explosion on the recovery of DNA from fragments of an improvised explosive device(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39831/

Hutchinson, S. (2017). Utilising antigen-antibody complexes to capture and enrich for sperm cells fractions in a mixed substrate(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/38406/

Hunt, C. (2017). Developing an efficient method for generating facial reconstructions using photogrammetry and open source 3D/CAD software.(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39826/

Dowell-Curby, J. (2017). A review of the microbiome associated with human decomposition(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39760/

D’Souza, V. (2017). Utilizing GPS to track crime scene investigators within a crime scene and monitoring their fatigue(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39833/

Cross, M. (2017). Detection of Secondary Transfer of Human Spermatozoa between Items of Clothing during a Domestic Washing Machine Cycle using the Quantifiler®Trio DNA Quantification Kit.(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39828/

Blackwell, S. (2017). Forensic techniques for the isolation of sperm cells from mixed cell fractions: A review(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39830/

Cameron, C. (2017). The Recovery of Trace Evidence from Excavated Soil: A Proof of Concept Study(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/

Nolan, A.-N. (2016). The detection of spermatozoa on washed forensic exhibits(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35017/

Lim, J. H. (2016). The presence of environmental human DNA within forensic vehicles(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35152/

Kolanski, S. (2016). Environmental DNA: Reviewing environmental DNA, contamination issues and an investigation of the prevalence of background DNA with Murdoch University(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35122/

Hymus, C. (2016). The presence of environmental DNA within a newly established research laboratory: Comparing “Dirty” and “Clean” areas(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35120/

Colwill, S. (2016). Low-cost crime scene mapping: reviewing emerging freeware, low-cost methods of 3D mapping and applying them to crime scene investigation and forensic evidence(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35143/

Beckwith, S. (2016). The Persistence of Semen on Cotton Fabric in Various Aqueous Environments(Murdoch University). Retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/

Journals

• Keatley, D., O'Donnell, C., Chapman, B., Clarke, D., (2021), The Psycho-criminology of Burial Sites: Developing the Winthropping method for locating clandestine burial sites, Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 20 May 2021, , pages -.
• Chapman, B., Raymer, C., Keatley, D., (2021), Death and disposal locations of serial homicides: the effect on recovery timeframe, Homicide Studies: an interdisciplinary & international journal, , , pages -.
• Omari, R., Hunt, C., Coumbaros, J., Chapman, B., (2021), Virtual anthropology? Reliability of three-dimensional photogrammetry as a forensic anthropology measurement and documentation technique, International Journal of Legal Medicine, 135, 3, pages 939 - 950.
• Oatley, G., Speers, S., Chapman, B., (2020), Forensic intelligence and the analytical process, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 10, 3, pages -.
• Cahill, M., Chapman, B., (2020), The novel use of a spray-on rubber coating to recover cellular material from the surface of bricks, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 49, , pages -.
• Parrick, R., Chapman, B., (2020), Working the crowd for forensic research: A review of contributor motivation and recruitment strategies used in crowdsourcing and crowdfunding for scientific research, Forensic Science International: Synergy, 2, , pages 173 - 182.
• Hackett, S., Keatley, D., Chapman, B., (2020), Face similarity linkage: A novel biometric approach to sexually motivated serial killer victims, Expert Systems, 37, 6, pages -.
• Longridge, R., Chapman, B., Bennell, C., Clarke, D., Keatley, D., (2020), Behaviour sequence analysis of police body-worn camera footage, Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, , , pages -.
• Hutchinson, S., Chapman, B., Turbett, G., (2019), Sperm fishing: antigen-antibody complexes for thecapture and enrichment of spermatozoa in mixedcell substrates, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51, , pages s95 - s98.
• Rampant, S., Coumbaros, J., Chapman, B., (2019), Post-blast detection of human DNA on improvised explosive device fragments, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Online Jan 2019, , pages -.
• Sim, J., Chapman, B., (2019), In-field whole genome sequencing using the MinION nanopore sequencer to detect the presence of high-prized military targets, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Online Feb 2019, , pages -.
• Nolan, A., Mead, R., Maker, G., Bringans, S., Chapman, B., Speers, S., (2019), Examination of the temporal variation of peptide content indecomposition fluid under controlled conditions using pigs as human substitutes, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 298, , pages 161 - 168.
• Boast, A., Chapman, B., Herrera, M., Worthy, T., Scofield, R., Tennyson, A., Houde, P., Bunce, M., Cooper, A., Mitchell, K., (2019), Mitochondrial Genomes from New Zealand's Extinct Adzebills (Aves: Aptornithidae: Aptornis) Support a sister-Taxon Relationship with the Afro-Madagascan Sarothruridae, Diversity, 11, 2, pages 1 - 21.
• Oatley, G., Williams, S., Barnes, G., Clare, J., Chapman, B., (2019), Crime concentration in Perth CBD: a comparison of officer predicted hot spots, data derived hot spots and officer GPS patrol data, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51, 1, pages -.
• Dunhill, T., Chapman, B., (2019), Meta-analysis of the secondary transfer of DNA, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, online, , pages s44 - s47.
• Booth, N., Chapman, B., (2019), DNA recovery from fired hollow point ammunition, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51, , pages s107 - s110.
• Beckwith, S., Murakami, J., Chapman, B., (2018), The persistence of semen on cotton fabric invarious water environments, Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Online, , pages -.
• Nolan, A., Speers, S., Murakami, J., Chapman, B., (2018), A pilot study: The effects of repeat washing and fabric type on the detection of seminal fluid and spermatozoa, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 289, , pages 51 - 56.

PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Rampant, S., Coumbaros, J., & Chapman, B. (2019). Post-blast detection of human DNA on improvised explosive device fragments. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1569157

Booth, N., & Chapman, B. (2019). DNA recovery from fired hollow point ammunition. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1568566

Hutchinson, S., Chapman, B., & Turbett, G. (2019). Sperm fishing: antigen-antibody complexes for the capture and enrichment of spermatozoa in mixed cell substrates. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1573926

Sim, J., & Chapman, B. (2019). In-field whole genome sequencing using the MinION nanopore sequencer to detect the presence of high-prized military targets. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1568562

Nolan, A. N. D., Mead, R. J., Maker, G., Bringans, S., Chapman, B., & Speers, S. J. (2019). Examination of the temporal variation of peptide content in decomposition fluid under controlled conditions using pigs as human substitutes. Forensic Science International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.048

Dunhill, T., & Chapman, B. (2019). Meta-analysis of the secondary transfer of DNA. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1569146

Oatley, G., S., W., Barnes, G. C., Clare, J., & Chapman, B. (2019). Crime concentration in Perth CBD: a comparison of officer predicted hot spots, data derived hot spots and officer GPS patrol data. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2019.1569141

Boast, A. P., Chapman, B., Herrera, M. B., Worthy, T. H., Scofield, R. P., Tennyson, A. J. D., … Mitchell, K. J. (2019). Mitochondrial genomes from new Zealand’s extinct adzebills (Aves: Aptornithidae: Aptornis) support a sister-taxon relationship with the Afro-Madagascan Sarothruridae. Diversity. https://doi.org/10.3390/d11020024

Morahan, E., & Chapman, B. (2019). Using Wearable Technology on Crime Scene Investigators to Monitor Physiological Indicators of Stress. Police Quarterly, [Under Review].

Nolan, A., Speers, S. J., Murakami, J., & Chapman, B. (2018). A pilot study: The effects of repeat washing and fabric type on the detection of seminal fluid and spermatozoa. Forensic Science International, 289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.021

Beckwith, S., Murakami, J., & Chapman, B. (2018). The persistence of semen on cotton fabric in various water environments. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 0(0), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2018.1484164

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Giles, O., Speers, J., & Chapman, B. (2018). Forensic Intelligence and The Analytic Process. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Beckwith, S., & Chapman, B. (2018). The Persistence of Semen on Cotton Fabric in Various Aqueous Environments. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Chapman, B., Speers, J., & Coumbaros, J. (2018). A Practical-Based Master Course for Contemporary Forensic Investigators: A Three-Year Retrospective. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Chapman, B., Colwill, S., Faulkner, S., & Speers, J. (2018). 3D Generation of Scene and Outsole Impressions: The End of the Frikkin Lazer? ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Booth, N., Egan, S., & Chapman, B. (2018). The Detection of Human DNA on Fired Bullets. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Cameron, C., & Chapman, B. (2018). Trace Evidence Recovery from Simulated Grave Sites: Recommendations for Australian Conditions. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Hutchinson, S., Turbett, G., & Chapman, B. (2018). Sperm Fishing: Antigen-Antibody Complexes for the Capture and Enrichment of Spermatozoa in Mixed Cell Substrates. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Elizabeth, M., Oatley, G., & Chapman, B. (2018). Wearable Activity Monitors on Crime Scene Investigators for Monitoring Geolocation and Physiological Indicators of Stress and Fatigue. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Nutton, L., Chapman, B., & Magni, P. (2018). Detection of Human Male DNA From Whole Lucilia sericata (Meigen)(Diptera: Calliphoridae) Larvae. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Rampant, S., Chapman, B., & Coumbaros, J. (2018). Post-Blast Detection of Human DNA on Improvised Explosive Device Fragments. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Sim, J., & Chapman, B. (2018). In-Field Whole Genome Sequencing Using the MinION Nanopore Sequencer to Detect the Presence of High-Prized Military Targets. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Hunt, C., Chapman, B., & Coumbaros, J. (2018). Developing an Efficient Method for Generating Facial Reconstructions Using Photogrammetry and Open Source 3D/CAD Software: A Preliminary Study. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Nolan, A., Speers, J., Murakami, J., Turbett, G., & Chapman, B. (2018). A Pilot Study: The Effects of Repeat Washing and Fabric Type on the Detection of Seminal Fluid and Spermatozoa. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Oatley, G., Chapman, B., Williams, S., Barnes, G., & Clare, J. (2018). Geospatial Predictive Policing. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Dunhill, T., & Chapman, B. (2018). Meta-Analysis of The Secondary Transfer Of DNA. ANZFSS International Symposium. Perth, Australia.

Chapman, B., Nussio, M., & Davies, B. (2014). Next Generation Sequencing Pipelines- Automation and Microfluidic Solutions and Automating SPE for Forensic Chemistry. ANZFSS International Symposium. Adelaide, SA. Australia.

Chapman, B., Scott, S., Turbett, G., & Bennett, J. (2010). The Effect of Fingerprint Detection Treatments on DNA Recovery Using an Automated Magnetic Bead Extraction Technique. ANZFSS International Symposium. Sydney, Australia.

Chapman, B.(2008). Liquid handling system selection and further optimisation of the Promega® DNA IQ^TMkit for more efficient DNA extraction on the PerkinElmer® JANUS^TMForensic Workstation. ANZFSS International Symposium. Sydney, NSW. Australia.

Chapman, B., Tack, L., & Pitcher, D. (2008). An Excursion Down an Outback Automation Highway: The progression of an Australian Forensic Biology Laboratory toward an automated, high-throughput facility. Promega International Symposium on Human Identification. Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Chapman, B., Pandevski, D., & Taylor, L. (2006). Validation of the PerkinElmer Multiprobe II for DNA Extraction of Volume Crime samples. ANZFSS International Symposium. Fremantle, WA. Australia.