Face to face: making sense of science
Queenslander Carol Mayne runs Australia’s first private consultancy converting complex DNA evidence into plain English for lawyers. She is also part of a taskforce turning Queensland kids on to science.
At 15, Carol Mayne left school to become a hairdresser. At 20, she discovered a passion for forensic science. Today, she runs DNA Evidence Pty Ltd, Australia’s first private company specialising in independent reviews of DNA test results.
Carol (pictured right) translates complex scientific reports into plain English, allowing barristers and solicitors working with DNA evidence to prepare their cases with a clear understanding of the scientific information.
“My company motto is an acronym of DNA: Do Not Assume. By helping lawyers understand DNA evidence I am working with the legal system in the fight against assumption based on misinformation,” Carol said.
Carol’s work has helped secure criminal convictions or cleared people who otherwise would have gone to jail. She also helps people understand DNA paternity tests and is involved with the company DNA Technologies in an initiative to help stop counterfeiting.
A small sequence of DNA called “SmartMarks” is transferred into dyes, inks and resins to make tags that help identify authenticity. “SmartMarks” were used to combat fake 2003 Rugby World Cup merchandise and have been used by Australian artist Pro Hart to protect the authenticity of his paintings.
Carol’s company slogan could be applied to her own approach to life. After a short stint as a hairdresser, she joined the Department of Main Roads in Brisbane where she processed vehicle registration payments.
“I realised I wouldn’t advance without an education so I did my senior at night school, one subject a year for six years,” Carol said.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Griffith University, she worked at CSIRO and then the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in DNA genetic research on twins. The birth of her first child in 1998 inspired Carol to think about what she could do working from home so she completed her Masters in Forensic Science at night.
“The OJ Simpson case showed me DNA was going to have a huge impact and I realised lawyers needed help in understanding all the intricacies of it so I saw an opportunity and went for it.”
Winning a Highly Commended award at last year’s Smart Women –
Smart State Awards led to Carol’s appointment to Education Queensland’s
Spotlight on Science Taskforce.
Carol has become a role model for Queensland women in science and she speaks
regularly at high schools.
“Our taskforce is not just about getting more people to study science at university. It’s about getting people to engage with science as a life learning experience.
“I tell kids that they don’t have to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives at 15, 16 or 17. Sometimes you don’t know at 30 or 40. But it doesn’t matter because you can go to university at any age and you can change careers at any age. It’s just a matter of finding something that you have a passion for.”
Carol loves the concept of Queensland as the Smart State.
“Having a Premier so supportive of science is like having your parents saying ‘good work and keep it up.’ It encourages you to go the next step.”
Carol’s next step is to expand DNA Evidence nationally and to provide more job opportunities for forensic scientists.
Last reviewed 19 January 2006