Good science, bad science. Do Courts know the difference?
The use and abuse of expert testimony in the legal system and the assessment of expert testimony has been a source of much publicity, debate, opinion, and proposed remedies. The most recent proposals for the UK emanate from the Law Commission and contained specific proposals regarding the admissibility of expert opinion.
In this article Professor Jamieson and Dr Bader discuss the increasing concern about the judicial understanding of science
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The F Word
Professor Jamieson gave evidence in a case involving LCN DNA in June 2012 in which the National Database was searched and produced 9 ‘hits’, including the defendant. The scientist for the Crown excluded the other 8 people by forming the opinion that he was ‘certain’ that it was impossible that another allele had not been detected.
This is a potentially dangerous development for people identified by database hits.
More>>
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'Flawless' claims errrrm, flawed
Following a murder trial in Liverpool in which Professor Jamieson gave evidence (see also), a senior scientist at LGC Forensics made claims in a newspaper article
that DNA results should be considered 'flawless'. Shortly afterward, the same company were forced to concede that errors had indeed occurred involving contamination.
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DNA transfer issues remain
An article in New Scientist highlighted yet again the difficulties with evaluating DNA evidence.
"That's not to say touch evidence shouldn't be used to help solve crimes, but jurors need to be presented with information about its limitations or wrongful convictions may ensue, while other convictions may fail or be overturned on appeal"
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Major development at TFI
The Forensic Institute welcomed Dr Nayyar Chaudhry from Pakistan who will be with us for six months learning from the extensive casework experience within the team.
Dr Chaudhry is a Major in the army of Pakistan. The Army Institute of Forensic Pathology is funding the creation of valuable professional connections with other Institutes around the world. Dr Chaudhry is expected to visit other UK facilities as part of her work at TFI.
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TFI moves up...
well, to the sixth floor, but at a brand new address.
This month, we have moved to our new home at 166 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2LW. All of our other contact details remain the same.
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