Dr Judy Ford: Expert Witness
(Human Genetics & Birth Defects)

Does your case involve Genes, Genetics, DNA or Chromosomes, Birth Defects?

Genes and genetics can play a part in many different types of legal cases. There may be issues of genetic susceptibility, genetic testing: errors in testing, failure to test, interpretation of tests, paternity issues, DNA forensics, genetic modification, genetic damage, mutation etc.

These days many people who work in some aspects of genetics or call themselves geneticists have only knowledge in some very specialized field. There are relatively few geneticists worldwide who have a broad knowledge of genetics in its various disciplines.

My own career was unusual in that I studied Genetics in depth from my second year at University. I received a First Class Honours degree and Ph.D. before going on to work for 30 years in Human Genetics. My laboratories have used both chromosomal and DNA techniques and I have extensive experience in counselling. My particular areas of expertise are PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, REPRODUCTION, MISCARRIAGE & PREGNANCY LOSS, BIRTH DEFECTS, CANCER, AGEING and CHEMICALLY INDUCED ILLNESS. These all have similar underlying problems in cellular/genetic damage and irregular cell division. However, whilst these are my specialties I have found that my genetic knowledge and broad problem solving skills have been useful in a wide range of medical cases.

I have taught Genetics at all levels from special courses for matriculation students and their teachers through to full University courses. I have also taught courses to Community groups. I now work with postgraduate students in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines. Amongst other skills I teach them critical thinking and problem solving. These skills are often not well developed in clinicians and they frequently overlook key elements in cases.

CHECK OUT MY C.V.

 

My Experience in Legal Cases:

The first cases I contributed to were rape cases. These were fairly specialized situations where the women had become pregnant as a result of the rape. At that time I had a laboratory and was very experienced at isolating foetal tissues from curettage. Later I developed DNA techniques in my laboratory and submitted evidence routinely for cases of disputed paternity.

One of the roles of human genetics laboratories is to identify gene or chromosomal abnormalities by prenatal diagnosis in order to prevent the birth of a child with genetic abnormalities. I have evaluated and reported on several cases of missed or incorrect diagnoses, or failure to give correct advice, failure to conduct appropriate tests or to interpret and act on tests appropriately. These cases may fall into the general areas of NEGLIGENCE, WRONGFUL BIRTH or WRONGFUL LIFE.

In the early 1990's my research on lifestyle gained a very large amount of international media publicity. As a result I have been asked to evaluate many cases of purported chemical toxicity.

Why I can contribute so much to many cases is:

- Experience in setting up and directing two state of the art laboratories.
- Thirty years experience of training staff in general laboratory and Human Genetics techniques.
- Extensive publication and research record
- Extensive experience teaching at all levels including Medical students and Post graduate training
- Extensive experience in reading medical notes,
- Thirty years evaluating pathology reports,
- Extensive research and clinical experience with       Lifestyle and Illness
- In depth understanding of genes, mutation, chromosomal damage and errors of cell division
- Research into, understanding and teaching others about the mechanisms underlying the development of cancer.
- Professional Speaker so confident in Court and Cross-examination.

My experience together with my inquiring mind gives me great insight into legal cases. My evidence has been used throughout Australia and several overseas countries.

The photo below shows me with a group of international scientists, invited by the then USSR Atomic Energy Commission to a conference held 5 years after 'the Chernobyl accident'. I'm the tall one three from the right with a lot of black hair!

Can I help you with a Medico-Legal Case?

Many medico-legal cases often fall between different academic disciplines. No one person has the expertise to evaluate the whole case. I have found that my experience in human genetics has given me a broad knowledge of different medical disciplines because genes affect all the body organs. Also, my years of research and assessing medical patient records have given me an extensive knowledge of medical jargon, patient management and laboratory test results. I am a lateral thinker, natural sleuth and am prepared to look at each case with an open mind.