Forensic Science Training by Forensic Access

Article taken from Issue 3 of the Forensic Access Newsletter "Benchmark"

Forensic Access’s principal aim is to help to ensure the safety and sustainability of forensic science evidence given in court. The company has traditionally achieved this aim by providing proper second opinions about scientific evidence in specific cases – principally for defence teams – and by debunking some of the myths surrounding science and scientific evidence through talks and articles for a wide variety of scientific, legal and lay audiences. More recently, it has established itself as a major training organisation offering comprehensive, flexible training in all aspects of forensic science for experienced and new-entrant forensic scientists (in recognised, reputable organisations), investigators and lawyers.

For investigators and lawyers
Training courses for investigators and lawyers focus on developing basic forensic-science awareness or in-depth understanding of particular techniques, methodologies or evidence types for specific purposes. They include one-day seminars that carry continuing professional development (CPD) points awarded by the Bar Council and the Law Society. Details of a typical seminar – on the power of blood patterns to establish the sequence of events at a crime scene or the likely involvement of someone in an assault – are given at the end of this piece.

Training courses
Individuals can join the regular programme of training courses held at Forensic Access’s or at the client's premises throughout the year. In addition, tailor-made courses for individuals and groups can be delivered on request at either Forensic Access’s or at the client’s premises. Courses include:

• basic forensic science awareness
• in-depth training in specific evidence-type-related searching methodologies, scientific techniques and instruments
• evidence assessment and interpretation
• report and statement writing
• courtroom skills training for expert witnesses
• latest developments in forensic science.

Blood-pattern analysis
An important one-day blood-pattern analysis seminar was held at Culham Science Centre on 6 February 2004. Aimed at crimescene investigators and members of the legal profession, the event provided an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the evidential power of blood-pattern analysis and its interpretation. The seminar was a joint venture between Forensic Alliance Ltd and Forensic Access Ltd. Course attendance was worth eight points towards CPD as it was accredited by the Royal College of Pathologists.

The trainers, Bart Epstein and Terry Laber, are world-renowned experts in blood-pattern analysis from the US Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists.