expertise
chief forensic HID scientist & social impact maker.
Dr Jodie Ward PSM CF is a forensic human identification (HID) specialist who has devoted her career to leveraging DNA technology to name the unidentified, locate the missing and provide answers to families across Australia. As the founder and director of Forensic Human Identification Co., she is striving to make forensic HID services more accessible and impactful globally. In her current role as consulting forensic geneticist for the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam, Jodie is guiding the DNA-led identification of commingled infant and child remains recovered from a former Mother and Baby Institution in Ireland. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in Forensic Genetics at both the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Adelaide University.
Jodie’s pioneering work includes establishing and leading Australia’s National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons (2020 – 2024) and the New South Wales (NSW) Specialist DNA Laboratory (2011 – 2019), both of which have played a crucial role in resolving hundreds of cases involving historical and contemporary unidentified human remains and long-term missing persons using DNA testing. Her career has spanned operational forensic roles with the Australian Federal Police, NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service and NSW Police Force, and academic forensic roles with the Canberra Institute of Technology, University of Canberra and UTS, where she directed the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (2019 – 2023).
Jodie is an active or former member of several key international groups, including the International Commission on Missing Persons Expert Panel of Scientific Advisors and INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification Forensic Genetics Working Group. She is also a professional member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences, Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society and International Society for Forensic Genetics, and serves on the Editorial Board of Forensic Genomics. From 2018 – 2023, she was a Board Member for The Missed Foundation, an Australian charity that raises awareness about missed loved ones and provides practical support to families and friends left behind.
Jodie holds postgraduate qualifications in forensic genetics (PhD), management and higher education. She specialises in interdisciplinary forensic HID approaches and advanced DNA technologies for human remains and disaster victim identification, such as single nucleotide polymorphism, mitochondrial DNA and rapid DNA testing applications. Her applied research focuses on enhancing DNA methods for identifying skeletal remains, exemplified by her key role in operationalising several Australian-first, ISO/IEC 17025-compliant forensic genomics tools for missing persons casework. These include forensic investigative genetic genealogy, whole mitochondrial genome sequencing and forensic DNA phenotyping.
As a forensic HID international thought leader and subject matter expert, Jodie delivers conference presentations and industry workshops, contributes to scientific publications and stakeholder forums, advises on related legislation and policy, communicates across traditional and digital media platforms and provides expert evidence in criminal and coronial cases. Notably, she has presented expert evidence in trials addressing systemic issues related to missing persons and unsolved homicide investigations, including the 2021 joint inquest into the suspected deaths of four NSW missing persons (e.g. Ursula Barwick) and the 2023 Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes. She has also contributed to international capacity building by delivering forensic genetics training to the Iraqi Police Service, Indonesian National Police and Royal Thai Police.
Jodie’s contributions to the forensic HID field have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Public Service Medal (PSM), 2022 Royal Australian Navy Group Commendation and 2015 Churchill Fellowship (CF). Over the last decade, her recognised determination and dedication have helped identify many missing persons and homicide victims, and advance resulting coronial and criminal investigations. She has also been honoured as one of the 2023 NSW Women of Excellence (NSW Government), 2021 Emerging Leaders in the Public and University Sector (Women’s Agenda), 2018 100 Women of Influence (Australian Financial Review) and 2017 Superstars of STEM (Science & Technology Australia).
forensic HID experts.
We collaborate with a diverse network of qualified and experienced forensic HID experts, both in Australia and internationally, to maintain a highly skilled and agile multidisciplinary team. Our collective expertise spans a broad range of forensic disciplines, including forensic archaeology, anthropology, geochemistry, pathology, radiology, odontology, ridgeology and genetics, as well as emerging fields such as forensic genomics, proteomics, microbiomics, epigenetics and investigative genetic genealogy. As a full-service provider, we offer complete or tailored forensic HID solutions to meet your specific needs, from excavation to the identification of human remains at various stages of decomposition, supporting forensic HID projects of any size, scale, complexity, duration or location.
forensic HID advisors.
Forensic genomics: Associate Professor Jeremy Austin
Forensic genomics: Professor Dennis McNevin
Genomics & bioinformatics: Dr Yassine Souilmi