Cases reviewed after Met’s ‘botched’ tests

Scotland Yard admits vital examinations could have been compromised by force forensic scientist

Scotland Yard has admitted one of its forensic scientists could have botched vital examinations leading to urgent reviews of more than 30 criminal investigations – including 21 rape and sex assault cases. A total of 33 cases, dating back to 2012, could have been compromised. The scientist was suspended after the issue was discovered. It is still unclear whether any of the cases involved resulted in suspects being wrongly convicted or victims being denied justice.

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. She was suspended in March after the issue was discovered.

A spokesman said an urgent investigation into the cases was being carried out with those affected being contacted by officers. 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 drugs offences.

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. 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 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, while the Randox forensics laboratory in Manchester

‘We are urgently conducting a review to understand whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process’

was hit by allegations of data manipulation.

Earlier this year Dr Gillian Tully, the forensic science regulator, warned that cuts in funding were having a negative impact on the sector.

It is the latest scandal to hit the Met’s sexual offences unit, which launched 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 material that proved the innocence of the accused men.