Awards

What are the Awards?

The Australasian Branch of IAATI, in partnership with our Award Sponsors, DataDot Technology have an annual Awards Programme. The IAATI Branch awards seek to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, innovation, or exceptional performance in the area of auto theft prevention and investigation.

2012 Award Categories

Nominations for the 2012 awards have now closed and winners wil be announced on Monday 12 March.    The award categories include:

Investigation of the Year

Sponsored by the Australasian Branch of IAATI this award is open to any individual or team of professionals involved in the identification and investigation of motor vehicle theft. The investigation may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use innovative methodologies or techniques, the complexity of the investigation, the involvement and cooperation of multiple agencies, or the size of the operation. It is open to members of Police services, Customs services, insurance investigators, private investigators, or anyone else involved in investigation of motor vehicle theft. The may involve cooperation of international agencies but at least part of the investigation must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last 3 years.

Insurance Industry Auto Theft Investigation of the Year Award

This award is open to individuals working in the insurance industry involved in the identification and/or investigation of auto theft insurance claims. The award is open to insurance investigators, private investigators, claims officers, claims managers, insurance assessors and insurance company personnel involved in an intelligence role. The investigation and/or claims process may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use of innovated methodologies or techniques or the complexity of the investigation.

The individual will need to show that the investigation and or claims process has met with the requirements of the General Insurance Code of Practice, the insurance company’s service level agreement, customer relations guidelines and/or dispute resolution process if applicable. The investigation and/or insurance claim must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last three years.

• Policing - Investigators, Intelligence Analysts and Scientific staff
• Insurance - Fraud and Investigation staff, Claim and Underwriting Managers
• Private Investigators
• Vehicle Registration authorities - Inspectors and policy makers
• Crime Prevention and Fraud Specialists
• Academics and Researchers
• Motor Trades - Policy makers
• Vehicle Manufacturers
• Forensic Locksmiths

President’s Award.

Sponsored by the Australasian Branch of IAATI this award is open to any individual, public or private organisation or agency including police, government agencies and the insurance industry, etc. that has made a significant contribution to assist in the reduction of motor vehicle theft in Australia, achieved a significant result from an investigation in auto theft or vehicle crimes, or a significant achievement in the detection of motor vehicle theft and/or fraudulent vehicle crime.

For example, potential nominations in this category may include:

• Individuals or organisation involved in the development of security devices.
• Vehicle manufacturers.
• Governments for their introduction of new legislation.
• Insurance companies the introduction of new procedures or incentives to vehicle owners or the funding of crime prevention programs.
• Police services for the introduction of initiatives or the development and distribution of training programmes.
• Local crime prevention practitioners
• Youth workers or organisations involved in prevention programs for offender or age risk individuals
• Advertising agencies for the development of an awareness campaign etc.
• Motor Registration authorities or consumer protection agencies for the development of policies or procedures aimed at restricting the activities of car thieves and protecting the unsuspecting consumers.
• Individuals or organisations involved in the media for the development of responsible reporting practices, the dissemination of vehicle theft prevention material, or the reporting of vehicle theft issues.
• Police services, Customs services, Insurance companies, private investigators, or anyone else involved in the prevention, detection and investigation of motor vehicle theft or vehicle crimes.
• Inter-agency operations or co-operation between public and/or private companies to achieve a positive result in the tackling of vehicle crime.

Nominees with be assessed by the Awards Assessment Committee who will short list finalists for presentation to the Australasian Branch President. The Australasian Branch President will select the award winner for this category.

DataDot Investigation of the Year Award

The DataDot Investigation of the Year Award is being held for the fifth time this year. Entries are open to any organisation (public or private) that has relied upon the DataDot component identification product in an investigation of motor vehicles. This award is sponsored by DataDot Technology Ltd.

Outstanding Contribution by a member to the International or Australasian Branch of IAATI

Nominations for this award are only open to present or past members of the Australasian Branch of IAATI. This award is to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

Award Nominations

Nominations for any of the 2012 awards have closed,  with the winners being announced on March 12, 2012. Nominations are now open for the 2013 Branch Awards.. Please send:

• details of the person or group being nominated and stating the category they are being nominated for;
• reasons for your nomination; and
• your name and contact details

to:

Amanda Gleeson
c/o NKG Management Services
PO Box 878
Kogarah
NSW 1485 Australia
or email to amanda.gleeson1@gmail.com

Winners will be announced at the Annual Training Seminar each year. Download Awards Flyer.

Presentation Ceremony

Winners of the Branch Awards will be announced during the Annual Australasian Branch Training Seminar Dinner. Sponsorship provided by DataDot Technology enables the award winners to attend the dinner in person. The winner of each category may also be asked to make a short presentation during the conference and/or write a short article for publication in an IAATI newsletter.

Winners of the 2012 Branch Awards will be announced during the 2012 Seminar Dinner during the 19th Annual Training Seminar to be held in Sydney, New South Wales during March 2012. Sponsorship provided by DataDot Technology enables the award winners to attend the dinner in person. The winner of each category may also be asked to make a short presentation during the conference and/or write a short article for publication in an IAATI newsletter.

Enquiries

Enquiries about the Branch awards can made by emailing: amanda.gleeson1@gmail.com.

Sponsors

The Australasian Branch of IAATI gratefully acknowledges the long term support of DataDot Technology with the Branch Awards Program.

Previous Award Recipients

2011 Award Recipients

DataDot Investigation of the Year ­ sponsored by DataDot Technology

Winner: Project Nemo - Organised Crime Investigation Unit - Queensland Police Service.

The 2011 winning nomination for the DataDot Technology Investigation of the Year related to vehicles and vessels being sold on line. During 2010 Queensland police identified several suspect vehicles and vessels being sold online. Targets were identified and seizures were co-ordinated with the co-operation of interstate agencies. The vehicles and vessels located and seized interstate had all been stolen in Queensland. Search warrants on the suspects’ residence uncovered a large quantity of false documentation created to validate the vehicles and vessels. These false documents were created at a very high level and could easily pass as genuine if produced during routine inspections.

A key issue with this case was the identification of the vehicles and vessels. Without this the prosecution of the offenders would have been difficult. The experience of the police personnel quickly identified that one of the vessels was fitted with a 100hp Yamaha outboard motor and that this model has DataDots. Police then turned their attention to the recovery of the DataDot identifiers and were able to identify the vessel.

The identification of this vessel enabled police to strengthen their case of the other stolen vehicles and vessels recovered through ‘similar fact’ evidence which led to a successful prosecution.

This case highlights the importance of identification and without DataDot technology this case may have dissolved. The experience, knowledge and actions of police were evident throughout the investigation.

Investigation Team: Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Ziser, Detective Sergeant Naomi Cornish, Detective Sergeant Renee Kurtz - Queensland Police Service – Organised Crime Investigation Unit.

The Insurance Investigation of the Year

Winner: Insurance Investigator Jason Ostrofski

The 2011 winning nomination in this category related to the reported theft of a 1995 Holden “VR” Commodore HSV enhanced “SS” V8 sedan. The version of events surrounding the reported theft of the insured vehicle included the Insured attending a local service station on the evening of 24 April 2009 and returning home and then retiring to bed. It was alleged that during the night the insured vehicle was stolen from the driveway in front of their residence. The vehicle was later located by Police just after midnight on 25 April 2009 approximately fifty kilometres south of the residence, completely destroyed by fire.

The Insured had a prior stolen motor vehicle claim ten months prior to the reported theft. Due to this the file was allocated to an investigator. Both the Insured and the Co-Insured (Insured’s wife), who were interviewed separately, were adamant that they had retired to bed by about 10:30 pm, after the Insured had returned home from the local service station.

A Forensic Locksmith was engaged to inspect the insured vehicle. The examination revealed that at the time of the fire the ignition system to the vehicle was still in place and the locksmith’s opinion was that the vehicle had been last driven with a correctly coded key. It was noted by the Forensic Locksmith that the insured vehicle a VR model Holden Commodore, came with an additional built in security system in that if a donor immobiliser system had been used that it had a forty-five (45) minute “time-out” feature whereby the vehicle could not be started.

The Insured had stated that he had attended the Caltex service station at about 10:00pm and was then in bed by about 10:30pm. The Investigator attended the Caltex and on searching the CCTV observed the insured vehicle and the Insured at the Caltex service station at 11:36pm. A copy of the Fire Report indicated that the Rural Fire Brigade had first been notified at 12:38am the next morning.

The investigator travelled to the incident scene. He recorded the kilometres and the time to drive to the location, which was in a remote bushland area. He was able to identify that the vehicle had crashed at the scene twice and then set on fire.

It was established that the offenders would have been with the insured vehicle for at least ten (10) minutes prior to being able to have started it, combined with the forty-five (45) minute “timeout” fitted to the vehicle. The Insured’s husband was at the Caltex in the insured vehicle at 11.36 pm which means that there was not enough time for him to have travelled home, locked the vehicle, and then had the offenders wait the forty-five (45) minute “timeout” and then drive to the incident scene which was half an hour away.

As a result of the evidence obtained during the investigation the insurer declined the Insured’s claim alleging fraud and the investigation file was handed to Police.

Investigation of the Year

Winner: Strike Force Oliveri – New South Wales Police Force

This year’s winning nomination for the Investigation of the Year Award relates to an investigation into a Middle Eastern crime family involved in vehicle rebirthing.  During June 2008 two members of a Middle Eastern Crime Family presented two Toyota Hilux SR model vehicles for inspection at the RTA Vehicle Identification and Inspection Unit. Both cars were repairable Write offs. In September 2008 a Senior RTA VIIU Vehicle Examiner was checking the internet Used Car Websites and found details of the two Hilux’s that were presented in June. However they were being advertised as SR5 upgraded models in immaculate condition. As a result of this the Examiner recalled the vehicles for a second inspection.

During early October one vehicle was presented for a second inspection and it did not have all the upgrade parts fitted as seen when advertised for sale and shown on the internet. In late October Police seized the vehicle. At this point the vehicle was fitted with all the upgraded SR5 parts. The examination confirmed that the suspect vehicle was actually stolen during August 2008 and was re-indentified as the Repairable Write off Hilux SR model that was inspected during June 2008.

On the 28th October the second vehicle was presented for inspection. Again it was presented as a base model. However police surveillance on the owner’s property identified that the car seen at the property looked different to the one presented for inspection. Further enquiries confirmed this car was advertised for sale as an SR5 model.

Given the concerns identified a strike force was established to investigate the involvement of two Middle Eastern families in the rebirthing of Toyota Hilux vehicles. The following are key points of the investigation:

• Examination of Registration and Stolen motor vehicle data that was sourced from the RTA and NMVTRC identified 837 stolen Toyota Hilux vehicles between January 2007 and May 2008. When examined against the registration history of the persons of interest, it confirmed that they had registered 62 Hilux’s during the same period. All 62 cars were presented as repairable write offs.
• Other issues identified were the documents they used to substantiate repairs and parts purchases. In some instances the same documents were used against multiple cars.
• 40 cars were purchased and repaired by businesses owned by the families of interest.

In June 2009 investigators pursued two simultaneous strategies; the first was to use covert evidence gathering techniques on the family involved and their smash repair business.

The second was to conduct forensic examinations on vehicles that had been sold interstate. In September 2009 Recall notices were posted to the owners of the vehicles sold in NSW. Again these vehicles were examined. The examination of the vehicles confirmed that on most vehicles the Chassis numbers were changed and that many Hilux’s had been upgraded from SR models to SR5 specifications using stolen parts.

Of further concern were the poor repairs carried out on the cars which resulted in 24 vehicles being issued with major defect notices.
Search warrants were obtained and executed in November 2009. A large amount of property was seized including:

• 12 Motor vehicles
• Documents relating to the sale of vehicles, and
• $120,000 cash

During the search a further 9 suspected rebirth vehicles were seized including a Mazda 3 upgraded to a SP23 using stolen parts. This was one of the most successful investigations into Motor Vehicle Theft in New South Wales in recent times.

• 8 offenders were arrested with a total of 31 charges
• 85 Vehicles of interest were identified

In monetary value these offenders were earning around $20,000 per car estimated at an overall profit of around $1m.
 

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Queensland Police Vehicle Crime Unit and Organised Crime Investigation Unit

In January 2010 the Vehicle Crime Unit within the Organised Crime Investigation Unit (OCIU) embarked on a project aimed at the Marine Crime Industry. It was found that traditional auto theft offenders were regularly stealing high value caravans and boats and utilising well tested and proven methods of vehicle rebirthing to conceal their activities. In response to these identified deficiencies initiatives that have been developed and are being implemented to address the Marine Crime issues include:

• A National Marine Crime Conference
• The creation of a National Stolen Vessel database.
• Registration deficiencies have been identified and research commenced in establishing best Practice model.
• Training packages were developed with regards vessel identification and the investigation of marine crime.
• A Marine Crime webpage.

Research has identified the most prominent vessels stolen and inspections have begun with those manufacturers. A further by-product of these inspections was that advice was able to be provided on how their identification of their vessels could be enhanced. These suggestions were enthusiastically adopted by the Manufacturers.

• Delivered presentations at Mallorca, Auckland and Perth on Marine Crime issues in Australia and shared resources to enhance investigative capabilities.
• Extensive communications have resulted in the projected formation of an Australasian Chapter of the International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI).
• The development of a Marine Crime team within the Vehicle Crime Unit umbrella to provide a specialist response to marine crime. Vehicle Crime unit has gone from a staffing strength of two to a staffing of nine, which reflects the commitment to these vehicle related crime class by the QPS. The unit regularly seizes stolen luxury wakeboard boats, jetskis, motorcycles, caravans, earth moving equipment.

Investigation Team: Detective Inspector Mark Ainsworth, Det. Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Ziser, Det. Sergeant Naomi Cornish, Det. Sergeant Renee Kurtz.

Member of the Year

Winner: Det. Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Ziser, Queensland Police.

This award is designed to recognise the work of an individual member who through their dedication and involvement, have helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level. This year’s recipient has been a devoted member and supporter of IAATI having been a member since 2008. Peter has continually contributed to the IAATI conferences and has been a presenter at a number of seminars and facilitated members from his own team to present at Australasian Branch Seminars when he has not been available.

Peter’s attitude and application towards IAATI coupled with his ability to utilise IAATI members to assist him in his daily occupation endorses the foundations of our branch. More recently, Peter has involved the Australasian Branch of IAATI in a new marine crime initiative taken up by Queensland Police.
 

2010 Award Recipients

DataDot Investigation of the Year ­ sponsored by DataDot Technology

Winner: Operation Hotel Raptor - Organised Crime Investigation Unit - Queensland Police Service.

Queensland Police attended an address in response to information concerning a suspect motor vehicle. At that location Police located a 2008 Grand Cherokee Jeep, valued at $80,000 that had recently been reported stolen in New South Wales. Police observed that this was a rural property and there were many cars on the premises. A subsequent check on these vehicles located nine vehicles that had previously been reported stolen.

The occupier of the premises was questioned regarding the vehicles and eventually admitted that all of the vehicles had been reported stolen and that they were the proceeds from insurance fraud. He stated that he had been approached from various people to arrange for the disposal of the cars.

Due to the overwhelming evidence being gathered against him the proprietor turned informant and stated that on that night he was supposed to collect an Alfa coupe from a tow truck driver. He stated that he did not know the owner but knew that they were going to report the theft on the Monday morning and that his role was to collect the vehicle and then get the Alfa key back to the tow truck driver so the owner would have the keys when the theft was reported, in case it was queried by Police or insurance investigators.

Police attended this carpark on this night and located the Alfa and subsequently seized that vehicle on the belief that an attempt of fraud was being committed on an insurance company. The registered owner of the Alfa attended the Surfers Paradise Police Station and reported her vehicle stolen. Police hatched a plan whereby it was necessary to have the key returned to the owner to give credibility to her story that the Alfa was stolen.

The Informer had been contacted by the tow truck driver advising that that the Alfa key was needed by the owner. As the Alfa key was strong evidence of the fraud police were reluctant to re-introduce the key through the network and attempts were made to locate an identical key in a very short amount of time. Due to the specific wear patterns on the key and its uniqueness this was proving imposible given the small window of opportunity.

Police then were resigned to using the original key in the strategy, though prior to re-introducing the key it was sprayed with "QPS Auto Theft" datadots. On Monday afternoon the key was returned to the towtruck driver in accordance with the original instructions. Officers followed the tow truck driver to Brisbane and then an address on the Gold Coast which was found to belong to a proprietor of a prominent panel beater.

Whilst being interviewed by insurance investigator the owner of the car produced an Alfa key as proof of the theft of her vehicle. She stated that she had only ever been given one key with the vehicle when she had purchased it second hand. She was very adamant and confident in her demeanour that her vehicle was stolen and denied any involvement in the theft.

Following this insurance interview police obtained the Alfa key which was immediately identified as being the datadotted key. During June 2009 police executed several search warrants on the Gold Coast in relation to this investigation and 17 persons were arrested on 26 charges relating to the systematic fraud on insurance companies.

The Insurance Investigation of the Year

Winner: Insurance Investigator ­ Karen Suljic

This award recognises individuals working in the insurance industry that are involved in the investigation of auto theft insurance claims. This year´s winner was nominated for an investigation conducted into the theft of two motor vehicles, a Ford F250 and a Mitsubishi Magna. The Insured in this instance lodged three claims. A household break in resulting in a burglary and the theft of the two motor vehicles.

As a result of this investigation the insurer, IAG, was able to deny the claim which was valued at $78,000.00. The Insured has not disputed this decision through the Financial Ombudsman or the courts.

Investigation of the Year

Winner: Operation Beryl - Detective Sergeant Callum McNeill from Auckland City Police

During January 2009 Police Intelligence identified that a large number of Toyota Hiace Vans were being stolen with a very low recovery rate. Over a 12 month period in one district 267 vehicles were stolen and only 14% were recovered. The value of the vehicles stolen was around $1.3m.

The team that was formed to investigate these thefts identified 8 car wreckers as properties of interest. The police together with Customs and Immigration officers used mobile and static surveillance on the persons and properties of interest.

Overall this investigation led to;

• 12 Offenders being arrested with over 400 criminal charges laid
• 127 vehicles identified as stolen with a value of $690,000.00
• Firearms, drugs and cash were also seized.

The theft rate of Toyota Hiace´s has decreased by 54% as a result of this operation.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Region 3 Vehicle Theft Task Force, Victoria Police.

The winner of the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award this year is a police task force which is responsible for an area of 65000 square kilometres. The area they are responsible for has a larger than average number of Motor vehicle repair and wrecking businesses operating and statistically over the years it has shown to have a high incidence of vehicle related crime. This team is made up of one detective sergeant, two detective senior constables, two uniform personnel and an analyst. It has the capability to conduct quick and pointed operations to disrupt organized vehicle crime. Overall this task force has been innovative and focused on tackling serious vehicle crime, its associated fraud and the use of vehicles in crime. As a result vehicle theft in this area has decreased by 43%.

Member of the Year

Winner: Detective Senior Constable Brett Florence from Victoria Police.

This award designed to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

This year´s recipient has been a devoted member and supporter of IAATI. Brett continually contributes a significant amount of work towards the organisation of conferences by presenting, assisting or promoting IAATI. He assisted the branch at the 2009 Auckland and Western Australian conferences and has again had a key role in facilitating presentation at the 2010 Brisbane training seminar. Brett´s attitude and application towards IAATI coupled with his ability to utilise IAATI members to assist him in his daily occupation only endorses the foundations of why our branch exists. Like all organisations IAATI Australasia has rules, processes and procedures, however like all organisations it is the things that cannot be captured in writing that create an organisation´s DNA. This year´s winner epitomises the IAATI DNA which is not only about learning and networking but also about giving and sharing where the only personal reward is the development of the Branch and its members.

2009 Award Recipients

DataDot Investigation of the Year ­ sponsored by DataDot Technology

The Winner of the 2009 DataDot Investigation of the Year award was won by the Taiwan Crime Investigation Bureau. In October 2008, the local county police raided a suspected ´chop shop´, and found over 6000 car parts from almost 1000 cars. The police together with the CIB as part of the investigation carried out a forensic examination of selected parts.

This examination identified microdots bearing the VIN of the original vehicle as ´whole vehicle marking´ introduced by the Taiwan Government in 2005. As a result of this they were able to confirm that many of the parts belonged to stolen cars. The investigation led to 3 arrests and subsequent convictions. The value of the goods seized was over $9,000,000.00 Australian dollars.

The Insurance Investigation of the Year

Winner: Jason Ostrofski ­ Verifact Investigations Pty Ltd

This award recognises individuals working in the insurance industry that are involved in the investigation of auto theft insurance claims. This year´s winner for the second consecutive year is Jason Ostrofski. Jason was nominated for an investigation he conducted in 2008 into a claim for a stolen 2004 Toyota Corolla Hatch. Upon obtaining detailed versions from the policyholders and other relevant witnesses at the time of the allege theft was able to:

• Locate witnesses at the recovery scene that provided relevant information to cast doubt over the policyholders´ version of events.
• Obtain lawful information from outside organisations that again added doubt to the policyholders´ version.
• Liaise with IAATI members to obtain advice on the security features for this model.

After obtaining all this information he was able to formally discuss these concerns with the policyholders. As a result of the overwhelming evidence presented to the insurer the claim was declined.

Investigation of the Year

Winner: New South Wales Police ­ Strike Force Deeble

The New South Wales Police Strike Force Deeble´ employed new techniques to assist with the investigation. The investigation was into two connected criminal groups who were involved in Car Theft, Stripping of parts, repairing economically Written Off cars, using false receipts, providing false receipts, using stolen parts and the sale of the rebirthed cars.

This strike force worked closely with the Roads and Traffic Authority, Victoria Police, South Australia Police, Insurers and Department of Fair Trading. It also utilised new legislation to assist the investigation such as:

• Controlled operations authority ­ allowing investigators to trespass and affix DataDots to stolen car parts so that they can be tracked in the future.
• Named Persons Warrant under the new Surveillance Devices Legislation.
• And the use of tainted property freezing notices ­ allowing them to seize cars that have been purchased using proceeds of a crime or purchased for the purpose of rebirthing.

This investigation resulted in 9 offenders charged with 35 offences and seized multiple car parts, 8 vehicles and 1 Jet Ski. It also identified assets in excess of $1m which are now subject to confiscation proceedings. It is the first re-birthing investigation to charge offenders with the ´Participate in Criminal Groups#180; offence& and to instigate Asset Confiscation proceedings.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Sergeant Barry Woolven ­ South Australia Police.

Sergeant Woolven has dedicated himself towards developing and implementing crime prevention strategies. His role encompasses research, development, preparation and dissemination of vehicle crime prevention and problem solving material, including promotional material and guidelines for the use of SA police and the community.

His strategies encourage the reporting of motor vehicle related offences, awareness raising, reducing vulnerability and the use of traditional and innovative means to prevent car theft whilst providing support to the victims. His contribution assisted South Australia to record the highest percentage decrease of 20% in motor vehicle theft during 2008.

Member of the Year

This award designed to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

This year´s recipient Frank de Jong has been a committee member since 2006. During this period he has continually contributed a significant amount of work towards the organisation of conferences. He is always available to participate in meetings and to assist in whatever action is required. In particular he has been instrumental in assisting with organising this conference and has continually promoted IAATI in his residing country. He is also qualified Automotive Engineer and has shown initiative in setting up his own company to support insurance companies to recover stolen motor vehicles.

2008 Award Recipients

Investigation of the Year ­ Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Olympian, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force.

Strike Force Olympian was formed in January 2007, as a result of sustained intelligence regarding the vehicle rebirthing activities of a number of members of the Middle Eastern Organised Crime community. Intelligence was received regarding a syndicate that was intimately involved in the wrecking industry, as well as being responsible for organising and executing the theft and clinical stripping of motor vehicles. The syndicate was large, well established and professional, and were stealing vehicles predominantly from the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and dumping the clinically stripped wrecks in the south west of Sydney. The major arrest phase was conducted on 19 July 2007. This arrest phase concluded the "car thief chapter" of the investigation, and alone saw the arrest of 6 offenders the laying of over 50 charges. 18 stolen vehicles were located and seized, and two 40 foot shipping containers were required to store the volume of stolen and suspected stolen vehicle parts seized during the search warrants.

DataDot Investigation of the Year – Sponsored by DataDot

The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Shiprock, Property Crime Squad, Motor Team, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force.

In January 2007 two motor vehicles were stolen from a car yard in Western Sydney. Police received information that these vehicles were at a residential home. An investigation commenced and in February 2007 a search warrant was executed at these premises resulting in the location of parts from one of the stolen motor vehicles. A business inspection was also conducted on a licensed smash repairer and further parts from the same stolen vehicle were recovered.

As a result further associates were identified and a number of investigative strategies commenced resulting in four search warrants being executed in March 2007, on a variety of residential premises. Police located and seized eleven suspected rebirthed motor vehicles, thirteen motor cycles, a jet boat and jet ski together with a large amount of vehicle parts and accessories. Two of the vehicles recovered on were identified ostensibly by ´DataDots´ affixed to the vehicles. One vehicle, a Subaru WRX was determined to be a combination of six motor vehicles with ´DataDots´ used to identify parts from five stolen motor vehicles. The second vehicle identified using ´DataDots´ was a Holden Special Vehicle R8 Marloo utility.

Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft - Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2008 is Identitek System Pty Ltd.

Identitek Systems Pty Ltd has developed the first secure compliance label that meets the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils (NMVTRC) tough technical specifications. Improving the standard of vehicle identification at the point of manufacture is a central element of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils integrated theft reduction strategy.

The Australasian Branch commends Identitek Systems on its innovation and persistence and believes they are a very worthy winner of the 2008 award.

Member of the Year – sponsored by IAATI

The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2008 is Detective Terry Campbell of the New South Wales Police Force.

Detective Inspector Terry Campbell was a worthy winner of the 2008 Member of the Year Award having played an active role as a member of the Onsite Organising Committee for the 2008 International Training Seminar. Well done Terry.

Insurance Industry Investigation of the Year Award – Sponsored by IAATI

The inaugural winner of the Insurance Industry Award is Queensland Private Investigator Mr Jason Ostrofski of Verifact Investigations.

On 3 July 2007, Mr Ostrofski received instructions in relation to a Full Motor Vehicle Theft Investigation that was required to be carried out on behalf of an insurance company. The insured vehicle in this matter was a 2000 Kia Sportage station wagon.

The investigation was conducted with an exceptional level of knowledge, and professionalism. Mr Ostrofski displayed innovative interview techniques, utilized the services of industry professionals and explored all avenues of inquiries including inquiries with external agencies during the investigation which provided an excellent result for the Insurer. The insurance company declined the policy holders claim alleging fraud.

2007 Award Recipients

Investigation of the Year – Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2007 is Strike Force HINDLEY of the Property Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police.

In early 2005, a Plain Clothes Constable with NSWPOL was given carriage of enquiries into a "theft by fraud" of a hire vehicle.

Early enquiries identified a number of similar offences, and the Constable transferred to the Property Crime Squad as the Office in Charge of the Strike Force that was initiated. A number of vehicles were hired by students at the request of the main target, and paid small amounts for their trouble to hand the vehicles over to the syndicate.

A number of additional (luxury) vehicles were purchased fraudulently using forged cheques. The original cheques were in small amounts (eg. $30) but "washed" by the syndicate for use in amounts up to $60,000.

When concluded in October 2006, the Strike Force had identified a rebirthing syndicate associated with 28 stolen vehicles valued at more than $500,000. Seventeen offenders were arrested and charged.

Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft – Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2007 is Glenorchy City Council, Tasmania.

Each year, the NMVTRC sponsors a public awareness program known as "Operation Bounce Back". Three years ago, a Council in Tasmania identified vehicle crime as a local issue, and was ranked second worst in the state by incident volume.

In 2004/05, sixty 'at risk' youths attended a seminar to examine the real risks of being involved in vehicle crime. During the seminar, these young people suggested that the best way to get the anti-theft message out to the community would be through TV advertisements.

The Council then set about developing 3 x 30 second anti-vehicle theft advertisements using NMVTRC sponsorship. The advertisements involved a group of young at-risk persons, who assisted in the creative and technical aspects of production. Following the campaign, this Council experienced an 14% decrease in vehicle crime, compared to a 14% increase across Tasmania.

DataDot Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by DataDot

The winner of the award for 2007 is the Forensic Response Section, South Australia Police.

In December 2006 in South Australia, 2003 HSV Clubsport was stolen after the driver stopped to assist a man lying injured on the roadway. Three weeks later, patrol officers stopped a van containing 5 males towing a trailer after the group set fire to the rear half of a Commodore sedan.

Tasked with the investigation, the Forensic Response Section of SAPOL recognized that the Commodore was a post-2002 model and so should carry DataDots. Unfortunately, any Dots that may have been affixed were consumed in the fire.

Subsequent searches of property and vehicles owned by the five males, however, revealed a number of DataDotted panels and wheels that had been removed from the 2003 HSV. As a result, the suspect in possession of these items was charged and some $20,000 of components was recovered.

Member of the Year - sponsored by IAATI

The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2007 was Gerry Bashford of Victoria Police.

Well done Gerry.