Linzi Wilson-Wilde

{{short description|Australian forensic scientist}}

Linzi Marianne Wilson-Wilde {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} is an Australian forensic scientist. In February 2021, she took up the position of Director of Forensic Science SA.{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Vickie |title=New era for Forensic Science SA |url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/new-era-for-forensic-science-sa |access-date=26 June 2021 |work=Media Releases |agency=Attorney-General |publisher=Premier of South Australia |date=2 December 2020 |location=Adelaide, South Australia |language=en-AU}} She was formerly the director of the National Institute of Forensic Science, working for that organisation for 12 years.[https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/profile/dr-linzi-wilson-wilde Profile: Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde], Science and Technology Australia. Accessed 27 November 2018.

Wilson-Wilde has worked as a DNA specialist with various Australian police agencies throughout her career including Victoria Police, New South Wales Police Force and the Australian Federal Police.

In the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, Wilson-Wilde coordinated the DNA analysis for body identification and the criminal investigation for Operation Alliance. Wilson-Wilde's DNA analysis is credited with playing a pivotal role in tracking down a bombing suspect.Moor, Keith (8 October 2012) [https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/australian-federal-police-were-closely-involved-in-the-hunt-for-the-bali-bombers/news-story/48f588b4b3d166962fa97c51352799a8 Australian Federal Police were closely involved in the hunt for Bali the bombers], Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2018.

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for her services with the police during Operation Alliance.[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1044406 Name: WILSON-WILDE, Linzi Marianne], It's an Honour, Australian Honours Search Facility, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Government. Accessed 27 November 2018.

Wilson-Wilde was also involved in the controversial mass-DNA screening of men in the New South Wales town of Wee Waa in 2000, in an attempt to track down a man who had bashed and raped an elderly woman.Elliot, Tim (5 June 2010) [https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hunt-was-up-against-civil-rights-arguments-20100604-xkm2.html Hunt was up against civil rights arguments], The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 November 2018.Mills, Tammy (25 September 2016) [https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/how-mass-dna-screening-caught-a-wee-waa-rapist-and-may-solve-tracy-connelly-murder-20160925-grnx1v.html How mass DNA screening caught a Wee Waa rapist and may solve Tracy Connelly murder], The Age. Retrieved 27 November 2018.

In 2011, Wilson-Wilde received a PhD from the University of Canberra after writing her doctoral thesis, Species Identification in Wildlife Crime Investigations using Diprotodontia.(28 September 2011) [https://www.theage.com.au/education/university-of-canberra-graduates-list-20110928-1wqr8.html University of Canberra graduates - Doctor of Philosophy], The Age. Retrieved 27 November 2018.Wilson-Wilde, LMA (2010) [https://www.canberra.edu.au/researchrepository/file/409150d1-94cb-2226-9d3b-6ef9ac37b4bc/1/introductory_pages.pdf Species Identification in Wildlife Crime Investigation Using Diprotodontia - Introductory Pages], University of Canberra. Accessed 27 November 2018.

Wilson-Wilde was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2014.Price, Nic (15 June 2014) [https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-east/fitzroy-forensic-scientist-inducted-onto-victorian-honour-roll-of-women/news-story/90b35dabafb13dffd1263a2e7876adee Fitzroy forensic scientist inducted onto Victorian Honour Roll of Women], Herald-Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2018.

In the past, Wilson-Wilde has voiced concerns about forensic television dramas such as CSI, accusing the producers of exaggerating the work forensic scientists undertake. Wilson-Wilde discussed the CSI effect in a radio interview in 2016.Quinn, Rod (21 October 2016) [https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/overnights/dna/7956818 What are the latest advancements in DNA?], Overnights, ABC Radio. Retrieved 27 November 2018.