Dr. Tony Raymond







Dr. Michael Anthony Raymond


23 August 2020 

It is with great regret that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Tony Raymond AM. Tony played a significant role in the advancement of forensic science both nationally and internationally and we gratefully recognise his significant contributions since he commenced in the forensic science in 1978.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Natal, South Africa, has a Graduate Certificate of Education from the University of Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, a Master of Science in forensic science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland and a Doctorate in bloodstain pattern analysis from La Trobe University, Melbourne. His doctorate is titled “Trajectory Reconstruction from Bloodstains at a Crime Scene”.

Tony began his career in Zimbabwe and was the Director of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Forensic Laboratory. He became Assistant Director at the Victoria Police Forensic Science Centre, where he was the principal scientist in the landmark Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Chamberlain Convictions and the McLeod-Lindsay Inquiry. His also became Director, Forensic Service Group and later Chief Scientist of the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and was also the Director of the National Institute of Forensic Science.

His contributions include past President of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, past Chairman of the Senior Managers of Australia and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories (SMANZFL) network and SMANZFL International Liaison Officer, member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences and member of the National Council as Treasurer. Tony was also a Fellow of the Australasian College of Biomedical Scientists, Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Sydney and an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian College of Legal and Forensic Medicine.

Tony has several presentations, journal publications and book chapters to his credit.

Dr Raymond was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for “service to forensic science in the field of law enforcement” and he was recognised by his peers for his work as a recipient of the international Association of Forensic Sciences Adelaide medal and the John Harbor Phillips Award for excellence in forensic science in 2014. In 2017, Tony was awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation for DNA related service.
 
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Dr Michael (Tony) Raymond (NSW Australia) passed away quietly at home with family on Sunday 23rd August, 2020. As you would likely know, Dr Raymond has been instrumental in the establishment of BPA as a forensic discipline both within Australia and abroad. Personally, Tony was a mentor, research supervisor, former manager, and friend. His funeral was held yesterday morning (AEST) and was very well attended given the current restrictions on public gatherings here as a result of the pandemic. He is survived by his wife and 2 adult daughters and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Tony Raymond's family would appreciate donations to RAH Research Fund at:
https://www.rahresearchfund.com.au/donate/

Please tick: This Gift is in Memory Of and enter either Tony Raymond or Michael Anthony Raymond
Please select: I’d like my donation to go to: Designation: Research – Rare Cancer Research


Source:  Director of the National Institute of Forensic Science, Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency
 

VALE

It is with great regret that we acknowledge the death of Dr Michael (Tony) Raymond AM who passed away quietly at home with family on Sunday 23rd August, 2020. Tony played a significant role in the advancement of forensic science both nationally and internationally and we gratefully recognise his extraordinary contribution in a career spanning over four decades Tony graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Natal, South Africa, before completing a Graduate Certificate of Education from the University of Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, a Master of Science in forensic science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland and a Doctorate in Philosophy: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) from La Trobe University, Melbourne. His doctorate, titled “Trajectory Reconstruction from Bloodstains at a Crime Scene” reinforced the foundational science underpinning BPA as a forensic discipline.

Notable publications from this research include “The physical properties of blood – forensic considerations” and “Oscillating blood droplets – implications for crime scene reconstruction”.

Tony began his career in Zimbabwe and was the Director of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Forensic Laboratory. He became Assistant Director at the Victoria Police Forensic Science Centre after emigrating to Australia with his young family in the early 1980’s.

Tony was the principal scientist in the landmark Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Chamberlain Convictions and the McLeod-Lindsay Inquiry; the latter having been described as a watershed case for BPA in Australia. He held the position of Director of the Forensic Services Group, later Chief Scientist of the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and served as Director of the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS). As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Sydney after his retirement, Tony continued to have influence within the forensic sciences, using his expertise in both BPA and DNA to educate and encourage research master’s and PhD students.

Tony was instrumental in the establishment of a BPA Training and Education Standards Committee, which later evolved into the NIFS BPA Scientific Working Group. This group is responsible for transformational standardisation of training and reporting requirements for analysts across Australia and New Zealand. As an experienced and highly qualified practitioner himself, Tony facilitated several national BPA training events.

His further contributions include past President of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS), past Chairman of the Senior Managers of Australia and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories (SMANZFL) network and SMANZFL International Liaison Officer, member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and member of the National Council as Treasurer. Tony was also a Fellow of the Australasian College of Biomedical Scientists, and an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian College of Legal and Forensic Medicine.

Dr Raymond was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for “service to forensic science in the field of law enforcement through the development of technological advances, including blood pattern analysis and DNA related identification, and through leadership and advisory roles.” He would be recognised by his peers for his work in 2014 as a recipient of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) Adelaide medal and the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) John Harbor Phillips Award for excellence in forensic science. Tony was awarded an NSW Police Commissioner’s Commendation for DNA-related service and is also a recipient of the NSW Police Medallion for diligent and ethical service.

Tony has several presentations, journal publications and book chapters to his credit.  He was an educator, mentor, and inspiring leader in bloodstain pattern analysis and the wider forensic sciences and will be sadly missed.