Forensic Access Newsletter - "Benchmark"
July 2008
Crime Scene To Court Room – Forensic Access Service Levels
Over the last 12 months we have been developing different levels of service to suit the different requirements of our customers. In this article we clearly lay out these new services for you.
Crime Scene Attendance
As described in this Newsletter, crime scenes can offer very valuable evidence for the defence as well as prosecution, and getting to a scene as soon after an alleged incident has taken place, is very important. Therefore, under the Forensic Access’ Crime Scene Service:
- we are prepared to take the financial risk of visiting a scene, on the assumption that funding will follow, in order to give you and your client the best chance of finding any appropriate evidence;
- we do not charge a call out fee;
- this service is particularly valuable in major crime cases such as murder, rape, arson, shootings and some drugs cases like cannabis cultivation.
Laboratory Examinations
All of our scientists and consultants have previously worked in a prosecution environment and, therefore, understand the procedures and practices of “prosecution” forensic laboratories.
We can:
- re-examine exhibits previously examined by the prosecution;
- re-test exhibits and evidence taken from exhibits;
- check that the procedure used to examine the exhibit or to perform a test, were in compliance with the laboratory’s stated, quality management procedures;
- check that the procedures in place at the time of the examination match the evidence being found now (see article on Ronald Castree, in this newsletter, and the problems of using DNA evidence on items originally examined before forensic DNA profiling was discovered);
- discuss the interpretation of scientific results with the prosecution scientist, exploring weaknesses and strengths of the interpretation;
- check and assess the credibility of the prosecution expert witness;
- assess the validity of the methods and tests used by the prosecution;
- look for and explore realistic and viable alternatives to the interpretation of evidence and the translation of that into how/when the event occurred;
- produce a detailed report of the findings including photographs and diagrams where appropriate.
Laboratory Examinations – brief report
In some cases, where appropriate, we can produce a simple bullet-point report of our findings and the scientific facts behind them.
In-house examinations
If it is not possible to examine the items in the prosecution laboratories, we have the facilities for carrying out detailed re-examinations in our own laboratories. Should the Criminal Defence Service and the Crown Prosecution Service agree, the re-examination of exhibits within our state of the art laboratories will allow us the ability to ensure a robust and safe critique.
Statement Review
In some cases, all that is needed is for us to review the Section 9 Statement produced by the prosecution scientist and offer, where appropriate, realistic alternatives.
This service is most suited to very urgent work where a full laboratory examination is not possible. (We would always advise a full laboratory re-examination where time permits.)
Case Conferences
We have a lot of experience of participating in case conferences, at all times of an investigation, for example, immediately after a scene visit, partway through a laboratory examination and pre-trial. Our scientists are very experienced at discussing their findings and their report with Counsel.
Summary
Forensic Access has built its reputation on the quality of its extensive range of services. Our scientists and consultants are so experienced at working on the most serious crimes that we have become the “fist choice” forensic supplier in appeal cases, re-investigations and historic cases, particularly where there is a political sensitivity over a case. In addition we understand the legal system in Scotland and have worked with the funding systems for cases in the Republic of Ireland.
To find out the best way of assisting your client, contact us and see which level of service would best suit the case.
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