Assistant Professor in Forensic Studies

University of Canberra ACT 2601 Australia Building 7, Room D8 - [Campus Map] Phone: (02) 6201 2634 Fax:     (02) 6201 2461 email: firstname.lastname@canberra.edu.au

Education

PhD, Biochemical Engineering,University of Sydney, 1999
Teacher’s Certificate, NSW Dept School Education, 1992
Grad Dip Education, University of Western Sydney, 1992
B Chem Eng Honours,University of NSW, 1989

Prizes and Awards
2006 Best Paper Award, Australia New Zealand Forensic Science Society.

Research and Professional Interests

Dennis McNevin has a diverse research background in environmental chemistry and biology.  He began his research career as a biochemical engineer working on biological remediation and monitoring of biological processes in wastewater treatment.

His interest in biology led him to molecular plant physiology and the kinetics of ribulose bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) using protein expression, genetic modification, enzymatic assays and carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Rubisco is the most abundant protein on the planet, as the primary carbon-fixing enzyme in plant leaves, and of obvious relevance in the context of climate change.

Armed with new molecular biology techniques, Dennis entered the forensic arena and the challenging problems of extracting DNA from hair, bones and teeth, common evidence types found at crime scenes and in disaster victim identification (DVI).

His interests have now extended to forensic molecular biology,population genetics and use of genetic markers to improve the value of DNA found at crime scenes. Such markers include autosomal microsatellites, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the Y chromosome. Dennis has also married his long term interest in environmental chemistry with forensics of oil spills and dumping, using  fluorescence spectroscopy, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to trace spilled oil to its source.

Teaching Interests

Dennis lectures in forensic biology and environmental forensic science and is Course Convener for the Bachelors degree in Forensic Studies at UC and teaches units on.  He supervises research students at Honours, Masters and PhD level. Dennis has also delivered international training courses in forensic biology for members of the Indonesian National Police, the Royal Thai Police and the Iraqi Police Services, in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police.

Recent Publications

McNevin D, Bate A, Daniel R, Walsh SJ (2011) A preliminary mitochondrial DNA SNP genotyping assay for inferring genealogy. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences 43: 39 - 51.

Robertson, K.S., McNevin, D., & Robertson, J. (2007). STR genotyping of exogenous hair shaft DNA.  Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 39(2): 107-122.

McNevin, D.B., Badger, M.R, Whitney, S.M., Von Caemmerer, S., Tcherkez, G.B.B., & Farquhar, G. (2007).  Differences in carbon isotope discrimination of three variant RuBisCOs reflect differences in their catalytic mechanisms.  Journal of Biological Chemistry, 282: 36068-36076.

McNevin, D.B., Badger, M.R., Kane, H.J., & Farquhar, G.D. (2006). Measurement of (carbon) kinetic isotope effect by Rayleigh fractionation using membrane inlet mass spectrometry for CO2-consuming reactions. Functional Plant Biology, 33(12): 1115 1128.

McNevin, D.B., Von Caemmerer, S., & Farquhar, G. (2006). Determining RuBisCO activation kinetics and other rate and equilibrium constants by simultaneous multiple non-linear regression of a kinetic model. Journal of Experimental Botany, 57(14): 3883-3900.

McNevin, D.B., Wilson-Wilde, L., Robertson, J., Kyd, J., & Lennard, C. (2005). Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping of keratinised hair. Part 1: Review of current status and knowledge gaps. Forensic Science International, 153: 237-246.

McNevin, D.B., Wilson-Wilde, L., Robertson, J., Kyd, J., & Lennard, C. (2005). Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping of keratinised hair. Part 2: An optimised genomic DNA extraction procedure reveals donor dependence of STR profiles. Forensic Science International, 153: 247-259.

Ragusa, S.R., McNevin, D.B., Qasem, S., & Mitchell, C. (2004). Indicators of biofilm development and activity in constructed wetlands microcosms. Water Research, 38(12): 2865-2873.