October 5, 2006 Source: :
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2006/10-05-2006.html Dead in the water: Nearly 100
people attend lecture on forensic
oceanography Droves of
people — students, faculty, staff and the general public — poured into the
Scotiabank Conference Theatre, Sobey Building, this afternoon to attend Dr.
Michael Fennessy’s lecture. His talk today underscored the importance of forensic oceanography and how
this area of study will greatly assist forensic scientists and
anthropologists and law enforcement agencies alike here in Canada. Dr. Tanya Peckmann, who is a forensic anthropologist at Saint Mary’s and one
of the key organizers of the lecture, provided the opening remarks before
Dr. Fennessy's talk, which was truly engaging. Dr. Peckmann thanked the sponsors for today’s lecture, which included: the
Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP), the Halifax Regional Police Department, and Saint Mary’s (Dean of
Science Office, Dean of Arts Office, Anthropology Department, and the
Vice-President of Academic and Research). Dr. Fennessy is a senior consultant with Coastal Research in Plymouth,
United Kingdom (UK). He was in Halifax today as part of a Winston Churchill
Traveling Fellowship. His organization specializes in forensic investigation involving incidents
where persons have gone missing in coastal waters or rivers, and many more
where a body has been found in the sea, estuary or a river. He indicated during his lecture today that for his research outlet,
reconstruction of incidents is usually possible in all such cases provided
that one end point is known: either where and when the person went missing,
or where and when a body was found. A reception was held following his lecture. Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both
in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to
one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for
its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a
vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
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