Shirley McKie: (Scotland). Commentary: fingerprint experts must re-examine their "certainty". Prof. Jim Fraser; The Scotsman.

STORY: "Fingerprint experts need to examine their certainty - and cultural change will take time" published in the Scotsman.

GIST: "The McKie affair is often referred to as the “Scottish case” in the forensics world and you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a distinctively Scottish problem. But like all “disasters” of this type, unearthing cause, effect and contributory factors is complex and tricky. An international survey by the University of Strathclyde showed that more than 80 per cent of fingerprint experts believe identification is certain. The issues go well beyond Scotland, and other countries would do well to consider the inquiry recommendation that fingerprint examiners should discontinue claims of 100 per cent certainty."

THE ENTIRE STORY CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts-blog/analysis_fingerprint_experts_need_to_re_examine_their_certainty_and_culture_change_will_take_time_1_2008740

THE INQUIRY'S WEB-SITE CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.thefingerprintinquiryscotland.org.uk/inquiry/CCC_FirstPage.jsp

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:

http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith

Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:

http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;