Tori digs up past to plan for her future
Finding the body is vital in any murder investigation. PhD graduate, Victoria (Tori) Berezowski’s research focused on innovative techniques to help locate hidden graves.
Back in 2020, fresh from completing an Undergraduate and Master's degree in her home country of Canada – and ready for the next challenge – Tori boarded a plane to Australia. Five years later, she’s graduating from the University of Newcastle with a PhD in Law – combining aspects of forensic anthropology, criminology and geophysical sciences.
Supervised by world-recognised criminologist and forensic scientist Dr Xanthé Mallett, Tori’s PhD research helped tackle the problem of locating hidden graves by trialling two innovative technologies for searching underground: ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT).
An impressive trajectory, but Tori’s journey has not been without its challenges.
At the young age of 16, Tori was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She says the experience helped foster an undeniable desire to help people.
“Cancer treatment made it very clear that I could not be a nurse or doctor, so I chose the next best thing – helping the deceased, which in turn, helps the living,” she said.
Tori took on anthropology as a major during her undergraduate studies and fell in love with the field, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and then a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, Canada.
After taking on casual teaching during her Master’s, Tori knew that was what she wanted to continue doing.
“I really, really enjoyed it. So, I decided that I wanted to be an academic and have that opportunity to teach,” she said.
“Doing a PhD was the best way to get there.”
With that goal in mind, Tori decided it was time to embark on her next adventure. So, she emailed the University of Newcastle’s Dr Xanthé Mallett.
“Xanthe emailed me back and it turned out that our research interests aligned. She had a project right then and there. We just went for it.”
After being awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Training Scholarship, Tori packed her bags and moved across the world.
“I didn’t know anyone or anything, but I’m so thankful to have landed in Newcastle. It was such a good place to be.”
Tori’s PhD tested techniques, such as soil imaging, used to find hidden graves of murder victims.
“These are graves that are associated with homicides. An offender can choose to get rid of the body, and one of the ways to do that is in a grave – which is quite advantageous because graves are so hard to find.
“My research tested a bunch of techniques to try to see if we could increase our chances of finding those graves for investigative purposes.
“One of my favourite parts of my degree was the fieldwork that I got to do. I got to go out to the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research and do my data collection, which was always a really good time.
“I also got to be connected with some really great researchers.”
Tori’s advice for anyone considering doing a PhD is to not undervalue the importance of making connections.
“Get as involved as possible. It’s really important to have a good relationship with your supervisors. Find good relationships in the school, but also outside of it as well.”
Tori is now working as a Lecturer in Forensic Science at Deakin University, a role she was offered within two months of having her PhD awarded.
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Read more about graduation and the success of our students:
Education that empowers: University of Newcastle celebrates record graduation
Dust yourself off and try again: you can do it and become a doctor
Off-field career pivot for psychology graduate Alex McKinnon
Maddie aspires to build engineering dreams
Aradhana finds strength in supporting others
Contact
- Kali Somerville, Communications Officer
- Phone: 02 4055 0295
- Email: kali.somerville@newcastle.edu.au
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