Associate Professor Xanthe Mallett
Associate Professor
School of Law and Justice
- Email:xanthe.mallett@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 5488
Truth, justice and cold case TV
Armed with insatiable curiosity, an immense respect for the dead, and much expertise, forensic anthropologist, and criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett brings to Newcastle her constant quest for truth and justice.
From fresh crime scenes and natural disasters through to ancient cold cases and cyber crime, Xanthé is determined to uncover what occurred and maximize dignity for both deceased victims and those left behind.
Xanthé is internationally renowned for her work across several areas of research related to both forensic anthropology and criminology.
The identification of people using their DNA (both suspects in criminal investigatins as well as missing or deceased persons) and developing our understanding of human craniofacial biometrics are major areas of interest.
Her knowledge of on-line child sex abuse and related behaviours, coupled with her role in developing groundbreaking hand identification techniques, have been pivotal in securing several high profile pedophile convictions.
Another area of focus is understanding and combatting bias within legal proceedings, with Xanthé investigating cases she believes to be unjust.
A passionate educator, Xanthé began lecturing in Criminology at UON in early 2017.
FROM BRADFORD TO QUANTICO
Always fascinated by science, Xanthé chose archaeological science for her undergrad degree from England’s University of Bradford.
“The courses I enjoyed were all related to humans, like the study of evolution, and the analsyis of human and animal bones,” Xanthé says.
Next came a research Masters in biological anthropology at the University of Cambridge, UK.
“That was interesting - measuring skulls, and trying to figure out how the face and head adapts to extreme environments (such as a really hot or really cold environment) on a population level.”
Next, Xanthé studied for a PhD in forensic facial recognition at the University of Sheffield, for which she was also awarded a joint scholarship from the University and the FBI.
It is a testament to Xanthé’s humility that a mention of her presentation, aged 22, of this doctoral work to a full room of agents at Quantico is almost cursory.
Continuing this stream of her research, Xanthé has since explored the science, statistics and law around using facial biometrics to identify potential criminals, publishing on the admissibility of computer-aided forensic facial comparison, and facial identification for the courts.
MAKING IDENTIFICATIONS
After graduating with her doctorate, Xanthé spent five years working as a forensic anthropologist at the University of Dundee’s (UK) Center for Anatomy and Human Identification.
Under team leader Professor Dame Sue Black, Xanthé contributed to several projects including a true crime cold case television series for the BBC called History Cold Case, which was adapted for the US by National Geographic (and retitled The Decrypters).
With Professor Black and other colleagues, Xanthé contributed to several books, chapters, journal articles, and edited academic collections.
Topics covered include disaster victim Identification, forensic anthropology, and forensic hand image comparison as an aid for paedophile investigations.
“One of the things that we were asked by several police forces to look at was a system of comparison to determine of an indecent assault suspect and offender from images could be the same person,” Xanthé explains.
“And a lot of the time you can reject it and say they are definitively not the same person, and people forget how important that is.”
“That is pretty rewarding, when you do something that can help to potentially stop someone from hurting children, or somebody can potentially be found innocent if they are not in fact guilty, which is equally important.”
WOMEN AND THE COURT
Related to this quest for justice is Xanthé’s research interest in the efficacy of expert witness evidence, and the impact of external influences that may result in bias or prejudice in the decision making processes of jurors.
This work resulted in her book, Mothers Who Murder: And Infamous Miscarriages of Justice (Penguin Random House, 2014).
The title refers to the moral judgements and trial by media that affect the justice process for women, particularly those accused of maternal filicide (intentional murder of a child by a parent).
“As soon as a mum is accused, as far as the public is concerned there is nothing that is considered a severe enough punishment, she could be hung drawn and quartered, you know?” Xanthé says.
Xanthé has been examining the cases of convicted Australian ‘baby-killers’ Kathleen Folbigg and Keli Lane.
“I am campaigning for Kathleen Folbigg not necessarily because I believe in her innocence, but I believe there is a justice process that has failed in this case,” Xanthé explains.
A perceived failure of justice is why Xanthé is also working with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT on the case of Keli Lane.
“There is no body, no motive, no witnesses, and no forensic evidence indicating any crime has taken place, so how can she be in prison for murder?” she asks.
“In cases like this, where the media is portraying these women as evil incarnate, how could they possibly get a fair trial?”
“We have to challenge the misconceptions, or preconceptions, that power this form of injustice. If it could happen to them, it could happen to anybody.”
TWO SIDES OF CRIME
Since 2013, Xanthé has been based in Sydney for its proximity to her media outreach commitments, and the taphonomic research facility where she is conducting research.
The facility is the first of its kind in Australia, unlocking truths about how the Australian environment, insect life, weather, light, and seasonal change affect scenes of death.
Xanthé is also looking into doing more true crime work on Australian television work, such as in Channel Ten’s 2014 Wanted series. Xanthé contributed to the series, which utilised the media to generate new leads regarding forensic investigations.
Not only does Xanthé see the media as an important tool for bringing forward evidence, it is also an important avenue to recruit future practitioners.
“If I can inspire just one person, especially one female, to stay in science or to go to university I think that is important,” Xanthé says.
Hoping to expand the UON Criminology program to include at least basic forensics, Xanthé believes the social process and physical process of crime are of equal importance.
“To understand the scene you have to understand how the people interacted with the scene, which means you have to understand people.”
“A lot of people think it is odd – marrying physical science and social science, but when it comes to crime, they are really two parts of the same thing.”
Truth, justice and cold case TV
Armed with insatiable curiosity and expertise, forensic anthropologist and criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett brings to Newcastle her quest for truth and justice
Career Summary
Biography
I am a n Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Criminology programs in the School of Humanities and Social Science. I completed my PhD in 2008 (University of Sheffield, UK), the topic of which was the development of an improved method of facial identification from CCTV images. I also hold a MPhil from the University of Cambridge (UK), and a BSc in Archaeological Sciences (University of Bradford, UK).
After graduating, I worked as a forensic scientist for 5 years, specialising in the identification of humans in forensic casework. Today, my work combines forensic anthropology (a biological science) and criminology (a social science), as I believe to understand crime, you need to be able to evaluate both the physical evidence of the scene and the way the people interacted with the scene and each other.
Research Expertise
My research combines social and physical sciences, largely focussing on how the misinterpretation of forensic evidence can lead to miscarriages of justice. I also research gender-based bias in the criminal justice system, and the impact news and social media can have – for good and bad – on the outcome of trials.
My PhD, entitled Facial Identification for the Courts: Science, statistics, and law, combined the development of an augmented method of forensic facial identification from CCTV images with an evaluation of the use of forensic evidence in courts, and how misinterpretation or representation can lead to miscarriages of justice. I built on this work with my research on cases of maternal filicide (intentional murder of a child by a parent), which was the basis of my monograph (Mallett, X. 2014. Mothers who Murder: And infamous miscarriages of justice. Penguin Random House, Sydney).
As a further extension of my work on potential miscarriages of justice, I am now working with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (RMIT). One of the cases we are currently looking at is Keli Lane, a woman in prison for the alleged murder of her 2-day-old daughter, Tegan, in 1996. This case is unique in Australian criminal justice history in that there is no body, no witnesses to any crime, and no forensic evidence indicating a crime took place. We are assessing the available evidence to determine if Ms Lane has grounds for a retrial.
Research Areas
- Criminology:
- Women as offenders within the criminal justice system
- Child sex offender demographics
- Societal bias and the implications for the concept of a ‘fair’ trial
- Forensic science:
- Human decomposition rates in Australia
- Body recovery and identification
- DNA pheonotyping – as applied to the living and dead
Professional Activities
As a forensic scientist and criminologist, I regularly collaborate with and consult for police forces across Australia in methods of human identification. I have prepared forensic reports for police forces in relation to the identification of unknown deceased persons and in anti-paedophile investigations.
I also provide a forensic DNA service to Australian police forces, which allows a facial composite to be created from a person of interest’s DNA sample, to help identity both suspects in criminal investigations and missing and unidentified persons.
Collaborations
I work within multidisciplinary teams, including criminologists and lawyers associated with innocence initiatives (the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (RMIT) and Not Guilty: The Sydney Exoneration Project (University of Sydney), and forensic scientists interested in developing methods of human identification (University of Technology Sydney, Charles Sturt University, Central Queensland University, New South Wales Police Force).
Outreach and Engagement Activities
My key professional interests are in the area of miscarriages of justice, as well as the review of cold cases – seeking new evidence in an attempt to help the police solve cases and bring closure to families. This work has provided me the opportunity to work with a number of television networks in the UK, the US, and Australia. Most recently, I co-hosted a true crime series focussed on identifying additional potential victims of Ivan Milat, to air on Channel 7 in March 2021.
In 2019 I published a book entitled 'Cold Case Investigations' and in 2020 a second entitled 'Reasonable Doubt', both with Pan Macmillan.
I was also a co-host on Channel Ten’s Wanted in 2013, a weekly true crime series that covered current and cold cases to assist the police with their investigations, as well as Channel 7's 'Murder Uncovered' (2018) and 9's 'Murder, Lies & Alibis (2019). Since that time, I regularly appear on Channel 7's Sunrise program and Channel 9's Today show, and have contributed expert opinions for many news, print, and radio interviews.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sheffield - UK
- Bachelor of Science, University of Bradford, UK
- Master of Philosophy, University of Cambridge - UK
Keywords
- Crime and the media
- Criminal justice systems
- Criminology
- DNA identification
- Forensic anthropology
- Forensic evidence evaluation
- Forensic human identiification
- Forensic science
- Gendered crimes
- Miscarriages of justice
- True crime
- Victimology
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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440211 | Police administration, procedures and practice | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Associate Professor | University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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20/9/2013 - 18/2/2017 | Senior Lecturer in Forensic Criminology | The University of New England Faculty of Cognitive, Behaviour and Social Sciences Australia |
1/3/2012 - 20/9/2013 | Lecturer in Forensic Criminology | The University of New England Faculty of Cognitive, Behaviour and Social Sciences Australia |
4/8/2008 - 24/2/2012 | Lecturer in Forensic Human Identification | Univeristy of Dundee Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification United Kingdom |
Awards
Research Award
Year | Award |
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2017 |
Faculty of Education and Arts Award for Mid-Career Research Excellence School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
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SOCA1050 |
Youth, Health and Crime: A sociological introduction Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle This course will introduce students to inter-related aspects of sociology concerning the impact on the lives of young people in contemporary industrial society of the social determinants of health and crime. The course will use historical, structural and cultural approaches to introduce contemporary understandings of inequality and the shared origins of health and crime. |
Lecturer | 27/3/2017 - 28/5/2021 |
CRIM1010 |
Introduction to Criminology Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle This course introduces students to the study of crime and deviance through an exploration of criminological theories, both historically and from contemporary perspectives. Topics may include: strain theory, labelling theory, Marxist theories, feminist theories, queer theory, left realism, new right theory, and critical criminology. Key criminological concepts will be used to examine and understand relationships between the social construction of crime, transgression and deviance. |
Course Coordinator and Lecturer | 25/2/2019 - 28/5/2021 |
CRIM2020 |
Criminal Psychology College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle Criminal psychology analyses the thoughts and action of criminals, including those engaging in anti-social behaviours. This course will take students through a step-by-step analysis of various crime types, looking at the psychological, biological, and environmental influences that lead to criminal and anti-social behaviour in regional, national and international contexts. Topics covered in this course include criminal profiling in violent crimes, predicting who will be the victim of personal violence, and strategies for threat and violence intervention. The course has been developed to appeal to students studying a range of social science disciplines, including criminology, psychology, law, and social work, as it will augment and build upon content within those discipline areas. The material covered will be trans-disciplinary in nature, and particularly relevant for students wishing to work within, or with an interest in, the criminal justice system. |
Lecturer | 24/2/2021 - 28/5/2021 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (6 outputs)
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2020 | Mallett X, Reasonable Doubt, Pan Macmillan Australia, Sydney (2020) | |||||||
2019 | Mallett X, Cold Case Investigations, Macmillan, 288 (2019) | |||||||
2014 | Mallett DX, Mothers Who Murder, Random House Australia, 325 (2014) | |||||||
2014 |
Mallett X, Blythe T, Berry R, Preface (2014)
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2014 |
Mallett X, Blythe T, Berry R, Advances in Forensic Human Identification (2014) As forensic human identification receives increased global attention, practitioners, policy makers, and students need an appropriate resource that describes current methods and mo... [more] As forensic human identification receives increased global attention, practitioners, policy makers, and students need an appropriate resource that describes current methods and modalities that have shaped today's policies and protocols. A supplemental follow-up to Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction, Advances in Forensic Human Identifica.
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Chapter (28 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2024 |
Mallett X, 'Media Engagement in Forensics', Forensic and Legal Medicine: Clinical and Pathological Aspects 694-969 (2024) The media is highly influential in how the public see forensic evidence. Those with ¿an interest in¿ true crime are now content producers, who fail to understand the genre¿s compl... [more] The media is highly influential in how the public see forensic evidence. Those with ¿an interest in¿ true crime are now content producers, who fail to understand the genre¿s complexities, their responsibilities, and the impact of unreliable or biased content creation. However, the ever-increasing public interest in true crime, and by extension forensic practice, is also a mechanism by which the media can be used to dispel some of the widely held myths and misunderstandings. The aim of this Chapter is to review some of the positive and negative aspects of the media¿s engagement with forensic science, and criminal cases more broadly. It will focus on three types of media influence, using cases to contextualize the discussion: Firstly, the impact of online material, and social media more specifically, on the criminal justice process; secondly, the police use of the media to engage the public with ongoing investigations; and thirdly, the powerful affect the media can have to raise awareness of wrongful convictions. In conclusion, a balance must be found between responsible creation and consumption of true crime. Through our choices as consumers, we can support a responsible media that assists victims, survivors, and their families, as well as the wrongfully convicted.
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2017 | Hawkes G, Mallett XDG, 'The Criminalisation of Sexuality', The Oxford Handbook of Sex Offences and Sex Offenders, Oxford University Press, UK 541-565 (2017) | |||||||
2015 |
Mallett X, Sutisno M, 'Anthropology: Overview', Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine: Second Edition 196-206 (2015) This chapter summarizes the science of forensic anthropology and details how skeletal remains are analyzed with a view to offering information to assist with a positive identifica... [more] This chapter summarizes the science of forensic anthropology and details how skeletal remains are analyzed with a view to offering information to assist with a positive identification of an unknown deceased person. Contemporary forensic anthropological practice has its foundations in anatomy and physical anthropology. As a core part of the process of forensic human identification, a forensic anthropologist is required to produce a 'biological and personal profile' of the deceased. This profile includes four key factors: ancestral affiliation, age estimation, sex estimation, and stature estimation. The methods employed for estimating these attributes are outlined here.
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2015 |
Chen Z, Huang J, 'Preface', ix-xi (2015)
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2015 |
Chen Z, Huang J, 'Preface', ix-xi (2015)
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2014 |
Mallett X, Karp J, 'Child sex offender demographics: Towards an improved understanding', Advances in Forensic Human Identification 59-78 (2014)
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2014 |
Mallett X, Karp J, 'Child sex offender demographics: Towards an improved understanding', Advances in Forensic Human Identification 59-78 (2014)
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2013 |
Brookes S, Smith K, Bennett J, 'The role of middle and first-line managers', Understanding Prison Staff 262-276 (2013)
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2013 |
Mallett X, Karp J, 'Hell is Other People: The Importance of Controlling Pedophilic Activity', The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Legal and Ethical Aspects of Sex Offender Treatment and Management 462-478 (2013)
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2013 |
Brookes S, Smith K, Bennett J, 'The role of middle and first-line managers', Understanding Prison Staff 262-276 (2013)
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Journal article (23 outputs)
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2024 |
Berezowski V, Moffat I, Seckiner D, Crebert I, Ellis J, Mallett X, 'The suitability of using domestic pigs (Sus spp.) as human proxies in the geophysical detection of clandestine graves.', J Forensic Sci, 69 316-328 (2024) [C1]
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2024 |
Seckiner D, Ebert L, Mallett X, Berry R, Green H, Franckenberg S, et al., 'A technical protocol for 3D observation and documentation of human decomposition', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 56 154-167 (2024)
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2023 |
Berezowski V, Mallett X, Crebert I, Seckiner D, Ellis J, Moffat I, 'A technical protocol for using ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography in the search for covert graves', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES,
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2023 |
Probert SJ, Maynard P, Berry R, Mallett X, Seckiner D, 'Changes in the morphometric characteristics of tattoos in human remains', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 55 474-491 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Seckiner D, Mallett X, Roux C, Gittelson S, Maynard P, Meuwly D, 'Forensic interpretation framework for body and gait analysis: feature extraction, frequency and distinctiveness', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, [C1]
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2023 |
Lamerton P, Maynard P, Seckiner D, Mallett X, Berry R, 'Post-mortem movement and skeletal disarticulation after death', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 55 387-405 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Berezowski V, MacGregor D, Ellis J, Moffat I, Mallett X, 'More than an Offender Location Tool: Geographic Profiling and Body Deposition Sites', Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 38 3-19 (2023) [C1] In homicide cases, it is difficult to provide resolution for the bereaved or to obtain a successful criminal conviction of the guilty party when no body is found. Since the mid-ni... [more] In homicide cases, it is difficult to provide resolution for the bereaved or to obtain a successful criminal conviction of the guilty party when no body is found. Since the mid-nineteenth century, geographic and environmental patterns have been used to better understand the relationship between crime and its environment. Now known as geographic profiling, practitioners in this field amalgamate criminological, psychological, and geographical knowledge, as well as aspects of mathematics, statistics, and physics to identify spatial patterns associated with criminal behaviour as a means of locating anchor points of an offender (where they live, or work). The same techniques can also be used to locate the covert body deposition sites of their victims. This paper aims to (1) provide a brief summary of criminal behaviour and the environment and how understanding their relationship can be helpful to geographic profiling, (2) amalgamate the available literature on the application of geographic profiling in locating clandestine graves (as most documented uses are to locate offender residences), and (3) include a geographic profile of Ivan Milat, an Australian serial killer (officially) active from 1989 to 1992, demonstrating how geographic profiling techniques can help to identify additional victims and potential body deposition sites. The information in this review will be helpful to law enforcement and practitioners to improve missing persons investigations and searches for clandestine graves.
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2022 |
Berezowski V, Moffat I, Shendryk Y, MacGregor D, Ellis J, Mallett X, 'A multidisciplinary approach to locating clandestine gravesites in cold cases: Combining geographic profiling, LiDAR, and near surface geophysics.', Forensic Science International: Synergy, 5 (2022) [C1]
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2021 |
Berezowski V, Mallett X, Ellis J, Moffat I, 'Using Ground Penetrating Radar and Resistivity Methods to Locate Unmarked Graves: A Review', REMOTE SENSING, 13 (2021) [C1]
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2020 |
Berezowski V, Mallett X, Moffat I, 'Geomatic techniques in forensic science: A review', Science and Justice, 60 99-107 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Wilson A, Neilsen P, Berry R, Seckiner D, Mallett X, 'Quantifying human post-mortem movement resultant from decomposition processes', Forensic Science International: Synergy, 2 248-261 (2020) [C1]
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2019 |
Seckiner D, Mallett X, Maynard P, Meuwly D, Roux C, 'Forensic gait analysis Morphometric assessment from surveillance footage', Forensic Science International, 296 57-66 (2019) [C1] Following the technological rise of surveillance cameras and their subsequent proliferation in public places, the use of information gathered by such means for investigative and e... [more] Following the technological rise of surveillance cameras and their subsequent proliferation in public places, the use of information gathered by such means for investigative and evaluative purposes sparked a large interest in the forensic community and within policing scenarios. In particular, it is suggested that analysis of the body, especially the assessment of gait characteristics, can provide useful information to aid the investigation. This paper discusses the influences upon gait to mitigate some of the limitations of surveillance footage, including those due to the varying anatomical differences between individuals. Furthermore, the differences between various techniques applied to assess gait are discussed, including biometric gait recognition, forensic gait analysis, tracking technology, and marker technology. This review article discusses the limitations of the current methods for assessment of gait; exposing gaps within the literature in regard to various influences impacting upon the gait cycle. Furthermore, it suggests a ¿morphometric¿ technique to enhance the available procedures to potentially facilitate the development of standardised protocols with supporting statistics and database. This in turn will provide meaningful information to forensic investigation, intelligence-gathering processes, and potentially as an additional method of forensic evaluation of evidence.
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2019 |
Wilson A, Serafin S, Seckiner D, Berry R, Mallett X, 'Evaluating the utility of time-lapse imaging in the estimation of post-mortem interval: An Australian case study', Forensic Science International: Synergy, 1 204-210 (2019) [C1] Estimating post-mortem interval is an important aspect in forensic investigations. The aim of this study was to investigate if time-lapse imaging can be used to improve estimates ... [more] Estimating post-mortem interval is an important aspect in forensic investigations. The aim of this study was to investigate if time-lapse imaging can be used to improve estimates of post-mortem interval using Megyesi et al.¿s [1] method for a human donor decomposing in an Australian environment. To achieve this, time-lapse images were taken every 30 min over a 6-month period. The Megyesi et al. [1] total body score (TBS) system was used to quantify the level of decomposition of the donor for each image. Linear regression was performed to determine if observing decomposition more than once a day leads to increased accuracy in predicting PMI (post-mortem interval). Decomposition initially progressed quickly and then plateaued at 1004 hours PMI, with a TBS of 24. Individual timestamps were created from the time-lapse images taken each day at 08:00 hrs, 11:00 hrs, 14:00 hrs, 15:00 hrs, and 17:00 hrs. All timestamps produced R2 values > 0.80, indicating that the Megyesi et al. [1] method accurately predicts PMI for this donor. The 08:00 hrs timestamp had the highest value R2 = 0.886, whilst the combined timestamp (which included the scores from all five images for each 24-hour period) R2 = 0.823 was the lowest. This study supports the validity of Megyesi et al.¿s [1] TBS model to estimate PMI. Two other interesting findings were that the results suggest that scoring TBS multiple times per day does not improve estimates of PMI, however scoring TBS at daybreak produces more accurate results than scoring TBS later in the day. This may be an important consideration in forensic scenarios.
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2019 |
Mallett X, Schall U, 'The psychological and physiological sequel of child maltreatment: A forensic perspective', Neurology Psychiatry and Brain Research, 34 9-12 (2019) [C1] Background: It has long been recognized that sustained or repeated child maltreatment has lasting psychological and emotional effects on the victims. This has helped to inform the... [more] Background: It has long been recognized that sustained or repeated child maltreatment has lasting psychological and emotional effects on the victims. This has helped to inform the criminal and civil justice systems how best to deal with perpetrators of abuse, as well social and health services when treating the victims. However, what is generally less well recognized is that physical and emotional abuse has a lasting and potentially non-reversible effect on brain function. Methods: We conducted a literature review on the forensic, mental, psychological, and pathophysiological impact of child maltreatment and discuss the implications of child maltreatment as a potential mitigating factor in criminal court in cases where victims of abuse become perpetrators themselves. Findings: Repeated exposure to traumatic experiences changes the responsiveness in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis with lasting consequences in the developing brain for structures, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. These physiological changes are thought to cause a range of mental disorders, which are associated with poor affect regulation, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Conclusions: The importance of developing our understanding of the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect cannot be overestimated as the result of child maltreatment will perpetrate criminal acts since offenders have higher rates of mental illness than the general community.
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2018 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Agllias K, Mallett X, McCarthy S, 'Crime and context: Understandings of youth perpetrated interpersonal violence among service providers in regional Australia', Journal of Applied Youth Studies, 2 53-69 (2018) [C1]
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2018 |
Seckiner D, Mallett X, Roux C, Meuwly D, Maynard P, 'Forensic image analysis CCTV distortion and artefacts', Forensic Science International, 285 77-85 (2018) [C1] As a result of the worldwide deployment of surveillance cameras, authorities have gained a powerful tool that captures footage of activities of people in public areas. Surveillanc... [more] As a result of the worldwide deployment of surveillance cameras, authorities have gained a powerful tool that captures footage of activities of people in public areas. Surveillance cameras allow continuous monitoring of the area and allow footage to be obtained for later use, if a criminal or other act of interest occurs. Following this, a forensic practitioner, or expert witness can be required to analyse the footage of the Person of Interest. The examination ultimately aims at evaluating the strength of evidence at source and activity levels. In this paper, both source and activity levels are inferred from the trace, obtained in the form of CCTV footage. The source level alludes to features observed within the anatomy and gait of an individual, whilst the activity level relates to activity undertaken by the individual within the footage. The strength of evidence depends on the value of the information recorded, where the activity level is robust, yet source level requires further development. It is therefore suggested that the camera and the associated distortions should be assessed first and foremost and, where possible, quantified, to determine the level of each type of distortion present within the footage. A review of the ¿forensic image analysis¿ review is presented here. It will outline the image distortion types and detail the limitations of differing surveillance camera systems. The aim is to highlight various types of distortion present particularly from surveillance footage, as well as address gaps in current literature in relation to assessment of CCTV distortions in tandem with gait analysis. Future work will consider the anatomical assessment from surveillance footage.
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2017 |
Mallett X, Evison MP, 'Critical issues in the historical and contemporary development of forensic anthropology in Australia: An international comparison', FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 275 3140-31400000000 (2017) [C1]
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2014 |
Black S, MacDonald-McMillan B, Mallett X, Rynn C, Jackson G, 'The incidence and position of melanocytic nevi for the purposes of forensic image comparison', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE, 128 535-543 (2014)
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2014 |
Black S, MacDonald-McMillan B, Mallett X, 'The incidence of scarring on the dorsum of the hand', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE, 128 545-553 (2014)
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2013 |
Mallett X, Evison MP, 'Forensic Facial Comparison: Issues of Admissibility in the Development of Novel Analytical Technique', JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 58 859-865 (2013) [C1]
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2010 |
Evison M, Dryden I, Fieller N, Mallett X, Morecroft L, Schofield D, Bruegge RV, 'Key Parameters of Face Shape Variation in 3D in a Large Sample', JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 55 159-162 (2010)
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2010 |
Mallett XDG, Dryden I, Bruegge RV, Evison M, 'An Exploration of Sample Representativeness in Anthropometric Facial Comparison', JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 55 1025-1031 (2010)
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Conference (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2017 | Seckiner D, Maynard P, Roux C, Mallett X, 'FORENSIC GAIT ANALYSIS: MORPHOMETRIC BODY ASSESSMENT WITH ASSOCIATED CCTV IMAGE QUANTIFICATION', FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, Toronto, CANADA (2017) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 14 |
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Total funding | $534,849 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20231 grants / $2,500
CHSF Conference Travel Grant $2,500
Funding body: College of Human and Social Futures | University of Newcastle
Funding body | College of Human and Social Futures | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | CHSF - Conference Travel Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20221 grants / $2,500
CHSF Conference Travel Grant$2,500
Funding body: College of Human and Social Futures | University of Newcastle
Funding body | College of Human and Social Futures | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | CHSF - Conference Travel Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20211 grants / $13,500
Public Cultures of Femaile Violence$13,500
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Tamara Blakemore (Lead); Dr Chris Krogh; Dr Xanthe Mallett; Dr Louise Rak; Mr Shaum Mallett (FBL) |
Scheme | Strategic Network and Pilot Project Grants Scheme |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20201 grants / $2,000
Gender Research Network$2,000
Funding body: FEDUA - Faculty of Education and Arts, UoN
Funding body | FEDUA - Faculty of Education and Arts, UoN |
---|---|
Project Team | A/Prof Patricia Pender (Lead), Dr Marie-Laure Vuaille-Barcan, Dr Xanthe Mallet, Dr Jessica Ford, Dr Kcasey McLoughlin and A/Prof Sara Motta |
Scheme | Strategic Network and Pilot Project Scheme |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20191 grants / $1,500
Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, Perth, 10 - 13 December 2019$1,500
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | FEDUA Conference Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20181 grants / $5,000
Faculty of Education and Arts New Start Grant$5,000
Human decomposition in an Australian environment -baseline data collection to improve our understandingof time since death interval focusing on the hands andthe face
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Project: Human decomposition in an Australian environment - baseline data collection to improve our understanding of time since death interval focusing on the hands and the face |
Scheme | New Staff Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20173 grants / $6,250
Bioplatforms Australia End User Access and Engagement $2,450
Funding body: Bioplatforms Australia
Funding body | Bioplatforms Australia |
---|---|
Project Team | John Stephen, AGRF |
Scheme | Bioplatforms Australia End User Access and Engagement |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Grant - Aust Non Government |
Category | 3AFG |
UON | N |
British Society of Criminology Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom, 4-7 July 2017$2,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Education and Arts
Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Education and Arts |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Xanthe Mallett |
Scheme | Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Conference Travel Grant $1,800
Funding body: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | Conference Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20152 grants / $10,923
Human decomposition in an Australian environment – baseline data collection to improve our understanding of time since death interval focusing on the hands and face$7,680
Funding body: The University of New England
Funding body | The University of New England |
---|---|
Scheme | Faculty of Teaching and Learning Development Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences Conference Travel Grant$3,243
Funding body: The University of New England
Funding body | The University of New England |
---|---|
Scheme | University-wide internal travel grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2015 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20141 grants / $430,000
Australian Facility for Taphanomic Research (Chief Investigator from UNE) ARC LIEF application, in collaboration with University of Technology Sydney (grant leader) and others: $430,000$430,000
Funding body: ARC
Funding body | ARC |
---|---|
Project Team | Shari Forbes UTS |
Scheme | ARC |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2014 |
Funding Finish | 2014 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | N |
20121 grants / $5,451
Contemporary Students’ Choices by Facial Appearance: The question of socialised assumptions$5,451
Funding body: The University of New England
Funding body | The University of New England |
---|---|
Project Team | Jann Karp |
Scheme | Faculty of Teaching and Learning Development Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2012 |
Funding Finish | 2012 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20111 grants / $55,225
Scottish Islands-Mainland Wiki Project$55,225
Funding body: AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust
Funding body | AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust |
---|---|
Project Team | University of Northumbria |
Scheme | AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2011 |
Funding Finish | 2011 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | International - Competitive |
Category | 3IFA |
UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | PhD | A Comparison of the Construction of the Social Problems of Wrongful Convictions by Claims-Makers Before and After Reforms to Committal Proceedings in New South Wales | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2024 | PhD | Altered Carbon – Post-Mortem Recording and Perceptions of Elective Body Modifications in Human Remains Identification and Forensic Anthropology | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2024 | PhD | Innocence Initiatives in Australia and the United States of America: A Comparative Study | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2023 | PhD | Beyond Crisis Responses – Sustainable Housing Solutions for Women Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence in the Hunter Region, New South Wales | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2022 | PhD | Genetic Genealogy in Australia for Cold Cases and Missing Persons Investigations: Legal and Social Implications. | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2022 | PhD | Sex Estimation of Human Mandibles using Advanced Scanning Technologies: A Comparative Study for Forensic Purposes | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | PhD | The Application of Ground Penetrating Radar and Electrical Resistivity Tomography to Clandestine Gravesite Discovery: A Comparative Analysis | PhD (Law), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
News
News • 31 Aug 2023
Access and attention: why serial killers like Lucy Letby often work in health care
British nurse Lucy Letby was last week sentenced to life in prison for murdering seven infants in her care, and attempting to murder a further six.
News • 30 May 2023
Revenge, excitement, or profit: why do people commit arson?
The huge blaze that struck Randle Street in central Sydney last week is now the subject of an arson investigation, authorities have confirmed.
News • 16 Jun 2020
Teaching criminology through COVID-19, and the future of learning in a post-pandemic world
As an inaugural recipient of a DVC(A) Merit List Award for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science, Dr Xanthé Mallett, opens up about her experience of teaching criminology through COVID-19, and shares her views on the future of learning in a post-pandemic world.
News • 10 Jun 2020
Book 'Reasonable Doubt' exposes Australia's worst wrongful convictions
Forensic anthropologist and criminologist with the University of Newcastle, Dr Xanthé Mallett, has published a book which exposes Australia’s worst wrongful convictions.
News • 15 Nov 2019
Success for Criminology students receiving job offers before graduating
Work placement opportunities lead to full time jobs.
Associate Professor Xanthe Mallett
Position
Associate Professor
School of Law and Justice
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
xanthe.mallett@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 5488 |
Link |
Office
Building | University of Newcastle Law School Level 5, NUSpace. |
---|---|
Location | University of Newcastle Law School Level 5, NewSpace , |