Our People in VIC
Matt Clow - Crime Scene Investigator
Wodonga’s Matt Clow, 30, reckons that if his job was a TV series it would be called ‘CSI Afghanistan’.
The military police sergeant is now part of a specialised investigation team at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot in Afghanistan spearheading a potent capability for the Australian Defence Force.
Matt and his team analyses components from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to trace those responsible and to enable the ADF and its coalition partners to work out the best ways of countering the threat.
“The work we do here is fascinating,” said Matt. “Almost every day we encounter some new way of rigging IEDs and the work we do makes things safer for those Australian soldiers going outside the wire.”
Procedures for clearing roads, bridges and paths of IEDs throughout Afghanistan are constantly evolving to counter the latest threat thanks to the intelligence gained by the Matt and his colleagues.
The team is also helping track down those responsible for the bombs.
“We’re like the CSI team on TV or any forensics crime team back in Australia, we go out to the crime scene where the IED was laid, we dust the componentry for fingerprints and test for DNA to trace those responsible,” said Matt.
“One bomb maker we’ve encountered is connected with IEDs found all over the country.
“His fingerprints and DNA have been added to crime databases used around the world and by soldiers using handheld devices on the ground throughout Afghanistan.”
Around 1550 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently serving in Afghanistan as part of Australia’s contribution to the international campaign against terrorism.
Matt joined the Army 13 years ago, following in his father’s footsteps.
“I joined as a parachute rigger, but I always wanted to get across to become an MP,” Matt said.
“My old man was an MP. He did 20 years as an MP, so you could say it’s a family business.”
This is Matt’s third deployment to Afghanistan. He has also deployed to Iraq, Bougainville, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
“I always miss being able to cook when I’m deployed…and I’m a lousy cook!” Matt said.
“Fortunately, my partner, Cara, is a great cook. I miss her roasts and the option to eat what you want when you want.”
Matt will return to Lavarack Barracks in Townsville in May after his deployment.
“I’ll likely go straight back to work and then take a few weeks leave towards the end of the year so Cara and I can go to the United States for a holiday.
“I probably don’t talk to my mother nearly as often as I should, so I am also planning on getting back to Wodonga to visit her and some friends shortly after I get home.”