ANZ Branch Webinar : DNA identification of the HMAS Sydney unknown sailor – an 80 year mystery solved

The ANZ Branch of IAFR is proud to present the first webinar of the year , DNA identification of the HMAS Sydney unknown sailor – an 80 year mystery solved by Associate Professor Jeremy Austin.

Following a battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran in November 1941, the Australian warship HMAS Sydney (II) was sunk claiming the lives of all 645 crew on board. Only one sailor was recovered deceased in a life raft three months later and buried in an unmarked grave on Christmas Island in February 1942. In October 2006, an archaeological team recovered the ‘Unknown Sailor’s’ remains in order to forensically examine and identify them. This quest finally came to an end on the 80th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Sydney. Assoc. Prof. Jeremy Austin will discuss his 14-year search and use of ancient DNA technologies, including the multidisciplinary and multiagency approach to identify the sailor in Australia’s biggest maritime mystery.

Associate Professor Jeremy Austin is an evolutionary biologist working in the fields of ancient DNA, molecular ecology, conservation genetics and forensic biology. He received his PhD from the University of Tasmania in 1995 and has worked at the Natural History Museum (London), University of Queensland (Brisbane), Museum Victoria (Melbourne) and the University of Adelaide. Since 2007 Jeremy has applied ancient DNA techniques to allow forensic identification of highly degraded human remains – murder victims, missing persons and war dead. In this area Jeremy’s group has provided a service to the Australian Defence Force, Australian Police and humanitarian agencies to assist with the identification of human remains.

IAFR Members – Free

Non IAFR Members – $15

Register now!