PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Forensics are the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, crucial to investigators and the courts in determining guilt or innocence, and what to investigate. It is the latest instance of concern being raised about the integrity of forensics in the criminal justice system. In England and Wales 10,000 criminal cases are being reviewed after it emerged last year that data at the Randox forensic laboratory in Manchester may have been manipulated, resulting in the biggest recall of samples in British criminal justice history. The regulator said this year that falling standards of forensic science, including the outsourcing of work to unlicensed private labs, was making miscarriages of justice inevitable."
STORY: "Met urgently reviews suspected forensic science blunder," by reporters Vikram Dodd and Hannah Devlin, published by The Guardian on May 8, 2018.
PHOTO CAPTION: "The forensic scientist, suspended in March, is alleged to have failed to carry out tests."
GIST: "The new crisis revolves around a scientist with the Metropolitan police who has been suspended following concerns about their work. Under review are 33 cases dating from 2012-17 including 21 rapes and
sexual assaults and 12 cases involving other serious violence, drug
offences and burglary. A Met police spokesperson said it was believed that the cases the
scientist had worked on had resulted in convictions. A key question will
be how crucial her work was in convincing juries of guilt. The
member of staff from Scotland Yard’s forensic services is alleged to
have failed in carrying out tests and to have wrongly informed
investigators about how her work was progressing, police said. The forensic scientist was suspended on 26 March as part of the
investigation. It concerns forensic samples submitted as part of
criminal investigations being carried out by detectives. The Met said: “We are urgently conducting a review to understand
whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process and to take
remedial action where necessary.” Forensics are the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, crucial
to investigators and the courts in determining guilt or innocence, and
what to investigate. It is the latest instance of concern being raised about the integrity of forensics
in the criminal justice system. In England and Wales 10,000 criminal
cases are being reviewed after it emerged last year that data at the
Randox forensic laboratory in Manchester may have been manipulated,
resulting in the biggest recall of samples in British criminal justice
history. The regulator said this year that falling standards of forensic science, including the outsourcing of work to unlicensed private labs, was making miscarriages of justice inevitable. In the case involving the Met scientist, it is understood that analysis of some samples relating to crimes was not carried out. The urgent review will look at whether the forensic results worked on
by the scientist can still be relied upon. If not, the review will
examine how important those forensic results were in securing any
conviction. The Met said: “All victims in the affected cases have been contacted, where it has been deemed appropriate to do so. “In the case of the investigations into rape and sexual assaults,
victims have been contacted by a sexual offences investigative
techniques officer.” The case has been referred to the Forensic Science Regulator and the
Crown Prosecution Service is also involved to help assess how
significant the forensic evidence was in securing convictions. Gillian Tully, the forensic science regulator, said she could not
discuss the specifics of the case while the investigation was ongoing.
“It is imperative that all staff working in forensic science understand
the importance and impact of their work in the criminal justice system,
the importance of quality standards and the provision of robust
science,” she said. “There is a robust system of regular checks and quality systems in
place to reduce the risk of malpractice and, if it does occur, ensure it
is detected and dealt with.”
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/08/met-launches-urgent-review-into-suspected-forensics-blunders
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. 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/c
