Brian Rankin has been nominated by the Council of the Forensic Science Society (FSSoc) to sit on the RCUK Special Interest Group in Forensic Science. Brian is Chair of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) group developing a benchmark statement for forensic science, is Chair of Standards for the FSSoc and also sits on the Forensic Science Regulator’s Quality Group. He is Head of Centre for Forensic Investigation at Teesside University and has recently been appointed by the Regulator to Chair his Specialist Group in R&D Conferences.

In working with RCUK and their partners, the Technology Strategy Board, Brian Rankin will represent the broad forensic community. He will be supported by an Advisory Group set up by the Forensic Science Society.

The Advisory Group will consist of:
Professor Robin Braithwaite, Department of Forensic Science and Drug Control Centre, Kings College London
Jane Maclean BSc MSc(Hons) CChem MRSC, Consultant Forensic Scientist, Metropolitan Police Service
Dr Brian McKeown, Chief Scientist, LGC Forensics
Professor David Russell, Head of School, Department of Chemistry, University of East Anglia
Dr Gill Tully, Head of Research and Development, Forensic Science Service  
Dr Duncan Woods, BSc, PhD, CBiol, MEWI, Keith Borer Consultants 

For those not familiar with the details, the scientific evidence against the defendants briefly consisted of fibres (16 in total and some embedded in blood) between clothing items and packaging, minute blood specs, some giving the same DNA profile as Stephen Lawrence on defendant’s clothing and a hair with the same mitochondrial DNA profile as Stephen’s maternal line also on defendant’s clothing. Some of this was recovered recently, some many years ago. In spite of a rigorous attempt by the defence team to demonstrate that these all arose as a result of contamination, the jury were not persuaded and brought in a verdict of guilty of murder.

This trial reinforces what we already know is essential best practice.
1) The need for a thorough preliminary examination in any given set of circumstances.
2) The importance of accurate and full notes.
3) The need for case material to be properly preserved and kept.
4) The need for a careful examination of all items including packaging.
5) The importance of contamination avoidance procedures and
6) The dangers of making assumptions and cutting corners. 

We have heard much in the media of both the failures and merits of the police; we have heard thanks to the jury, to the supporters of the family and to the lawyers. Even politicians have claimed some of the credit.   However, real credit must go to the scientists for their patience and skill in finding, examining and interpreting this evidence and to their management for allowing them the time to do it as well as to Stephen’s parents for their persistence in seeking justice for their son. 

Dr Ann Priston,
President

The Society was honoured that Mr James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security, and Professor Bernard Silverman, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Home Office, were able to attend the Education & Industry Forum held on 19th December 2011. 

Both spoke on the challenges facing us at this present time in regard to research and development and the broader forensic arena.  These talks provided an excellent starting point for the day.  To access a copy of the full speeches please click here.

The Forensic Science Regulator has made available a position paper on developing a quality standard for fingerprint examination post publication of the Scottish Fingerprint report;

Further updates from the Regulator include:-

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Jones vs Kaney removed the immunity from prosecution previously enjoyed by expert witnesses.

The result of this ruling is that Forensic Scientists can be made personally liable for the work they undertake, including any expert testimony given in court.

In response, FSSoc has acted swiftly to protect members from this new exposure and consulted with scheme insurance specialists The Insurance Partnership to devise a member insurance scheme. The scheme was recently launched at the Autumn Conference and is the only dedicated insurance scheme for Forensic Scientists in the UK.

For further information click here. 

The Forensic Science Society welcomes the Home Office Science and Technology Select Committee’s report on The Forensic Science Service and Bernard Silverman’s, report on Research and Development in Forensic Science: a Review.  These reports can be accessed via the following links:-
 
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/
cmsctech/855/855.pdf 

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/fsr/forensic-science-review/

Both reports demonstrate the need for considered judgement and wide and appropriate consultation about major issues and actions affecting the forensic arena.  The Forensic Science Society is referenced in the reports and clearly has a role to play in the future.  

In March this year (2011) the Law Commission published its final recommendations for reform of the rules governing expert evidence in criminal proceedings, including the introduction of a new reliability-based admissibility test for expert opinion evidence.

For a precis of the Law Commission's Recommdations to Parliament click here for document download

The Forensic Science Society (FSSoc) welcomes the Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into the closure of the FSS.  The BBC has reported the terms of reference for the inquiry on its Science and Environment website as follows:

• What will be the impact of the closure of the FSS on forensic science and on the future development of forensic science in the UK?

• What will be the implications of the closure on the quality and impartiality of forensic evidence used in the criminal justice system?

• What is the financial position of the Forensic Science Service?

• What is the state of, and prospects for, the forensics market in the UK? Specifically whether the private sector can carry out the work currently done by the FSS. The volume and nature of the forensic work carried out by police forces will also be examined in this light.
 
• What are the alternatives to winding down the Forensic Science Service?

• So far as they are known, are the arrangements for closing down the FSS, making staff redundant and selling its assets adequate?
The Forensic Science Society will be making a submission to the Committee on those points from the list above on which it is fully able to comment. 

A member of FSS staff has contacted the Society to ask that members are made aware of the petition to save the FSS from closure.  This can be accessed by clicking here

The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed the Court of Appeal judgment in the Case of R v T

Click here for document download

On 26th October 2010, in the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justices Beatson and Kitchen delivered their judgement following an appeal against a conviction for murder

Click here to read more