Convictions at risk in test lab probe
HUNDREDS of suspected drinkdrivers may have been wrongly prosecuted after their blood samples were manipulated.
Two scientists were quizzed over alleged tampering at a lab used by more than half of UK police forces.
Randox Testing Services said they believe there are as many as 484 suspected cases of manipulation at its Manchester office. The Crown Prosecution Service will now review swathes of court cases to see if “compromised data” affected them.
Chief Constable Debbie Simpson, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said yesterday: “We’ve been made aware of a quality failure with Randox, which is being investigated.
“A criminal inquiry has been launched by Greater Manchester Police. Randox has provided each force with a list of cases that could have been affected.” The Home Secretary has also been made aware of the probe, which could spark a flood of compensation claims.
Sources claim samples were manipulated to “ensure positive tests for alcohol”, the majority linked to criminal investigations. Most relate to drink-driving.
Randox alerted authorities after an internal probe last month found evidence to suggest “toxicology data was compromised”. It added: “We take this alleged breach of our stringent quality assurance systems very seriously.” GMP said Randox was being “fully co-operative”.
Two men, aged 47 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and bailed.
The Home Office said: “The matter is being urgently investigated by the Forensic Science Regulator and UK Accreditation Service.”