for the love of science

Former Bundy girl on forensic frontline
by Nikki Sorbello
17th February 2009

IDENTIFYING the remains of people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and providing crucial evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey case are all just in a day's work for Dr Angela Williamson.

But the former Bundaberg woman, who grew up here and attended Sharon State School and North Bundaberg High School, does not consider herself any different from any other working Joe.

Dr Williamson was in Bundaberg last week for the first time in two years to catch up with family, and spoke to the NewsMail about her special career, that began with a love of science.
While Dr Williamson is Bundaberg's answer to high-profile television shows like CSI, Bones and NCIS, the 31 year old says the real work is nothing like the way it is portrayed on television.

“We certainly don't walk around the lab in our high heels,” Dr Williamson joked.

After leaving home at 17 to pursue a university education, Dr Williamson completed a Bachelor of Science, her honours and a PhD at University of Queensland, a feat that took seven years.
After being head-hunted for a position during her PhD, Dr Williamson made the move to America to work in DNA and medical research, where her interest in forensics grew.

“I was working at George Washington University who have one of the best forensic courses in the world, and I took a few classes and decided to switch my career,” she said.

Dr Williamson now works for Bode Technology Laboratory as a director of forensic casework, which has seen her work on many high-profile cases, including the JonBenet Ramsey inquiry.
In July last year, Dr Williamson was instrumental in a large development in the case by generating a DNA profile from JonBenet's long johns.

“I met with the DA (District Attorney), who decided that it was enough evidence to clear the family of any involvement,” she said.

“The Ramsey case was surreal. I did 12 interviews in 12 hours.”

The case of the West Memphis Three and identifying victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks are among the high-profile work Dr Williamson has tackled.

Dr Williamson said working on the September 11 cases was great, with providing answers to families being one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

“We got a result last year on the remains - and that is seven years later,” she said.

“Some days are bad, but you just have to think 'This has already happened. What can we do now to help the families, to help free an innocent person, to help put someone in jail?'”

Cold cases are a personal passion and she is busy clearing the backlog of rape case work from across America.

“The JonBenet Ramsey case seems so important because it was a high-profile case, but every answer we can provide for a family is just as important,” she said."