Expert Witness Services
Our experience supporting Coroners spans all Australian States and Territories, as well as the New Zealand Coroner. Our Expert Witness team is led by Dr Jim Whitehead, ensuring our clients recieve the highest standard of professional representation in court.
We also provide Expert Witness services in civil proceedings, supporting clients who are required to defend their actions or who need independent, expert assistance to clearly explain and substantiate their decisions and practices.
Dr. Jim Whitehead APM, PhD
Retired Senior Sergeant Jim Whitehead had been a police officer with the Queensland Police Service for 39 years, 34 of which he has been involved in Search and Rescue (SAR).
He was the State Search and Rescue Coordinator & Training Officer for the last 17 years of his service, being responsible for managing the SAR system in Queensland.
In his time he was involved in over 15,000 SAR incidents resulting in over 22,000 lost and missing people being located. He is experienced in both the practicalities and teaching of SAR and holds numerous qualifications and is currently completing a PhD in Search and Rescue.
He has taught search and rescue to police in all Australian States/Territories, New Zealand, Papua-New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Seychelles.
Formal Qualifications
- PhD (Search for deceased persons)
- Master of Emergency Management
- Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management)
- Advanced Diploma of Police SAR Management
- Advanced Diploma Public Safety (Police SAR Management)
- Diploma of Police SAR Coordination
- Diploma of Public Safety (Police SAR Coordination)
- Diploma Public Safety (Policing)
- Cert IV Training and Assessment
Awards
- Australian Police Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Police Overseas Service Medal
- National Emergency Medal
- National Police Medal
- National Search and Rescue Award
Expert Witness Services for the 2019
Whakaari/White Island Tragedy
Proud to Support Critical Work Across the Tasman. SAR Training Australia is honoured to have supported the New Zealand Coroner’s Office by providing specialist expert-witness services in relation to the White Island tragedy. Our own Dr. Jim Whitehead APM, a recognised leader in search and rescue coordination, contributed his expertise to help ensure the inquiry was informed by rigorous, evidence- based insight.
We are incredibly proud of the professionalism, compassion, and technical excellence Dr. Whitehead brings to every engagement, particularly those involving complex and emotionally significant events. At SAR Training Australia, we remain committed to strengthening search and rescue capability and supporting agencies in their vital work to improve safety outcomes.
