Mackenzie de la Hunty

Mackenzie de la Hunty is a Lecturer at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a research focus on forensic fire investigation, fingermark detection techniques, and specialist search capabilities. She holds a PhD in Forensic Science from UTS and has held various academic roles since 2013, including Scholarly Teaching Fellow and Senior Teaching Associate. Her work bridges academic research with operational applications through collaborations with Australian Federal Police and fire emergency services.

Research Interests:

• Pioneering forensic fire investigation methodologies for justice outcomes
• Advancing fingermark detection through surfactant chemistry and imaging technologies
• Validating specialist search capabilities for law enforcement
• Developing scientific photography and digital imaging for evidence recovery

Research Trends: Her publications (2013-2025) demonstrate sustained focus on fingerprint enhancement on porous surfaces, fire debris analysis, and forensic educational frameworks, with recent works addressing implementation challenges in fire origin determination and professional behavior training for chemists.

Scientific Awards & Memberships:

• ANZFSS NSW Branch Michael Dawson Award (2025)
• AFP National Managers Certificate (2022)
• UTS Teaching and Learning Award (2022)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (2022)
• ANZFSS Executive Scholarship (2018)
• NSW Association of Fire Investigators (2017)
• UTS Research Day 5MT Best Presentation (2015)
• Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (2013)

Supervision & Teaching: She supervises PhD candidates in fingermark chemistry and teaches Forensic Imaging, Advanced Imaging, and Specialist Recovery courses. Her educational innovations include professional behavior assessment in first-year chemistry laboratories.