Challenging evidence


	Challenging Evidence Forensic evidence can be all too readily accepted, assuming that the evidence is correct and is as strong as suggested. However, mistakes can, and do, happen, and there are often other angles of looking at evidence that are not always illustrated. ► Blood Pattern Analysis Blood distribution is usually compared with a given scenario and an opinion given as to whether the evidence supports that allegation. However, alternative scenarios can also be considered, for example, are airborne spots a result of being involved in an incident or just being in close proximity to the incident. Wet blood can also obviously be transferred by contact with another surface bearing the blood, and not necessarily with the person who is bleeding. ► Crime Scene Examinations Detailed examination notes are not always taken, anti-contamination precautions not always followed, relevant evidence not always retrieved, exhibits not always sealed and labelled at the scene, and full exhibit continuity not always maintained, all of which can have a great impact on the interpretation and strength of the evidence. ► DNA Evidence Although the statistics regularly applied to DNA can appear very strong evidence, this does not necessarily mean that direct contact has occurred. There are various other aspects that should be investigated, such as the possibility of secondary transfer, for example via another person, whether any contamination may have occurred, or the chance of the DNA being deposited by indirect contact, such as coughing over an item. ► Fingerprint Evidence Disputes still occur over the identification of finger marks. Recently publicised cases, such as that of Shirley McKie, illustrate how important it is for evidence to be independently checked. Other recent high profile cases, such as the train bombings in Madrid in 2004, have involved a wrongly identified finger mark. Mistakes have also been made by Fingerprint Bureaux throughout the UK. In addition, some Fingerprint Bureaux do not compare all of the finger marks found, and therefore it is possible that only some of the fingerprint evidence in a case has been examined. Fingerprint examinations could also have an affect on other evidence, for example, possible contamination caused by a fingerprint brush that is typically used at numerous scenes. Please contact us should you wish to discuss a specific case, or go to our Quotes page to find out what information we need to provide you with a quote.

Challenging Evidence

Forensic evidence can be all too readily accepted, assuming that the evidence is correct and is as strong as suggested. However, mistakes can, and do, happen, and there are often other angles of looking at evidence that are not always illustrated.

► Blood Pattern Analysis

Blood distribution is usually compared with a given scenario and an opinion given as to whether the evidence supports that allegation. However, alternative scenarios can also be considered, for example, are airborne spots a result of being involved in an incident or just being in close proximity to the incident.

Wet blood can also obviously be transferred by contact with another surface bearing the blood, and not necessarily with the person who is bleeding.

► Crime Scene Examinations

Detailed examination notes are not always taken, anti-contamination precautions not always followed, relevant evidence not always retrieved, exhibits not always sealed and labelled at the scene, and full exhibit continuity not always maintained, all of which can have a great impact on the interpretation and strength of the evidence.

► DNA Evidence

Although the statistics regularly applied to DNA can appear very strong evidence, this does not necessarily mean that direct contact has occurred. There are various other aspects that should be investigated, such as the possibility of secondary transfer, for example via another person, whether any contamination may have occurred, or the chance of the DNA being deposited by indirect contact, such as coughing over an item.

► Fingerprint Evidence

Disputes still occur over the identification of finger marks. Recently publicised cases, such as that of Shirley McKie, illustrate how important it is for evidence to be independently checked. Other recent high profile cases, such as the train bombings in Madrid in 2004, have involved a wrongly identified finger mark. Mistakes have also been made by Fingerprint Bureaux throughout the UK.

In addition, some Fingerprint Bureaux do not compare all of the finger marks found, and therefore it is possible that only some of the fingerprint evidence in a case has been examined.

Fingerprint examinations could also have an affect on other evidence, for example, possible contamination caused by a fingerprint brush that is typically used at numerous scenes.

Please contact us should you wish to discuss a specific case, or go to our Quotes page to find out what information we need to provide you with a quote.