Crime lab series: (Part 4): Scotland Yard Suspends Forensic Scientist Amid Fears 21 Rape Cases Could Be Compromised. The Telegraph (reporter Martin Evans) reports..." More than 30 criminal investigations - including 21 rape and sex assault cases - are being urgently reviewed after Scotland Yard admitted one of its forensic scientists could have botched vital examinations. A total of 33 cases, dating back to 2012, could have been compromised after the scientist allegedly failed to carry out vital tests and also lied to detectives about her work. The scientist at the centre of the scandal was suspended in March after the issue was discovered during a performance review. A Scotland Yard spokesman said an urgent investigation into all the cases was now being carried out with those affected being contacted by specialist officers. But it remains unclear whether any of the cases involved resulted in suspects being wrongly convicted or victims being denied justice. While the majority of the cases involved sex assault allegations, there were also a dozen relating to violence, burglary and drug offences. "We are urgently conducting a review to understand whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process" Metropolitan Police spokesman Forensic evidence is often the central plank of a prosecution case and is vital in ensuring the justice system works smoothly."

PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "The scandal comes at a time of increasing concern over the provision of forensic services in police investigations. Responsibility for forensic work was privatised six years ago when the government owned Forensic Science Service (FSS) was closed. In January the private firm, Key Forensic Services, collapsed potentially affecting thousands of cases. Last year a major investigation was launched into the Randox forensics laboratory in Manchester after it emerged that thousands of criminal cases could have been compromised when data was allegedly manipulated by two workers. Earlier this year the Forensic Science Regulator, Dr Gillian Tully warned that cuts in funding was having a negative impact on the sector and called for her office to be given statutory powers to ensure the highest standards could be maintained. It is the latest scandal to hit the Met's sexual offences unit which was forced to launch a review of all ongoing rape cases last year amid claims that crucial evidence might have been withheld during prosecutions. Problems were first identified in December when two trials collapsed after it emerged that a detective had failed to disclose vital material that proved the innocence of the accused men."

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STORY: "Scotland Yard Suspends Forensic Scientist Amid Fears 21 Rape Cases Could Be Compromised," by reporter Martin Evans,  published by The Telegraph on September 5, 2016.

PHOTO CAPTION: "A major review is now underway at the Met's forensic lab." 

GIST: More than 30 criminal investigations - including 21 rape and sex assault cases - are being urgently reviewed after Scotland Yard admitted one of its forensic scientists could have botched vital examinations. A total of 33 cases, dating back to 2012, could have been compromised after the scientist allegedly failed to carry out vital tests and also lied to detectives about her work. The scientist at the centre of the scandal was suspended in March after the issue was discovered during a performance review. A Scotland Yard spokesman said an urgent investigation into all the cases was now being carried out with those affected being contacted by specialist officers. But it remains unclear whether any of the cases involved resulted in suspects being wrongly convicted or victims being denied justice. While the majority of the cases involved sex assault allegations, there were also a dozen relating to violence, burglary and drug offences.  We are urgently conducting a review to understand whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process Metropolitan Police spokesman Forensic evidence is often the central plank of a prosecution case and is vital in ensuring the justice system works smoothly. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "It is alleged that a forensic scientist working within the Met’s Forensic Services did not complete the requisite forensic examinations and in some case wrongly informed investigators about the progress of forensic examinations. "An internal review has found that 33 separate criminal investigations have been affected. Twenty-one of these cases relate to investigations into rapes and other sexual assaults; the remaining 12 are investigations into violence, burglary and drugs offences. “The cases relate to crimes whereby items were submitted for forensic examination between 2012 and 2017. "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." A major audit of all scientists’ work within the Met is now taking place and the matter has been referred to the Forensic Science Regulator. The scandal comes at a time of increasing concern over the provision of forensic services in police investigations. Responsibility for forensic work was privatised six years ago when the government owned Forensic Science Service (FSS) was closed. In January the private firm, Key Forensic Services, collapsed potentially affecting thousands of cases. Last year a major investigation was launched into the Randox forensics laboratory in Manchester after it emerged that thousands of criminal cases could have been compromised when data was allegedly manipulated by two workers. Earlier this year the Forensic Science Regulator, Dr Gillian Tully warned that cuts in funding was having a negative impact on the sector and called for her office to be given statutory powers to ensure the highest standards could be maintained. It is the latest scandal to hit the Met's sexual offences unit which was forced to launch a review of all ongoing rape cases last year amid claims that crucial evidence might have been withheld during prosecutions. Problems were first identified in December when two trials collapsed after it emerged that a detective had failed to disclose vital material that proved the innocence of the accused men."

The entire story can be read at:
https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/05/scotland-yard-suspends-forensic-scientist-amid-fears-21-rape-cases-could-be-compromised?cmpid=horizontalcontent

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/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 Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com.  Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
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