Melissa received her first class Honours degree in Chemistry from La Trobe University where she specialised in the analysis of explosive residues located on pipe bomb debris. She has dedicated the majority of her 19 year career at the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department to the Clandestine Laboratory Unit as a senior forensic officer involved in scene processing, analysis and reporting of both clandestine laboratory and drug analysis cases.
Today, Melissa leads the CDI Unit in the provision of an innovative and contemporary intelligence service with the aim to disrupt active offending via intelligence led policing. By utilising the Drug Sciences Group database, CDI produce both proactive drug alerts to inform on emerging substances and regular drug information reports detailing trends observed within Victoria. In addition, CDI respond to drug and precursor related queries from internal and external stakeholders. As part of the Forensic Drug Intelligence Capability Project, CDI also profile methylamphetamine seizures and provide links to the Forensic Intelligence Team who connect persons of interest and investigations.