FORENSIC EXPERT ‘UNLAWFULLY’ VIEWED CRIME SCENE IMAGES
Sacked 56-year-old now awaits sentence
POLICE forensic expert Darren Collins has admitted ‘unlawfully’ accessing the force’s computer systems to view thousands of images – including crime scenes and postmortem examinations.
The 56-year-old worked as a digital forensic specialist for Staffordshire Police and was based at the force’s Stafford HQ.
But he was dismissed in March after it was discovered he had accessed more than 3,000 images between January 2014 and December 2018.
A number of the images were official photographs of crime scenes and post-mortem examinations which had been taken to provide evidence in court hearings or at inquests.
A ‘rigorous and extensive investigation’ has found no evidence to suggest the photographs have been shared. Families connected to the images have been informed regarding the proceedings against Collins.
Collins, of Stafford, was arrested in March 2019 following an internal investigation by the force’s professional standards unit after concerns had been raised by colleagues. He was suspended immediately.
He later faced internal disciplinary proceedings and was dismissed without notice for gross misconduct (discreditable conduct) in March this year. Collins, who had worked for the force for 18-and-a-half-years, was also placed on the Police Barred List.
During a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday he admitted misconduct in a public office. Collins had claimed that he viewed the images to further his knowledge of crime scenes and forensic science to progress his career.
Deputy Chief Constable Justin Bibby says a review has been carried out around how systems are accessed.
He said: “Every day we are required to handle sensitive data and adhere to the proper use of systems without exception.
“The public trust us to secure the information we hold about them and this was a clear breach of that trust. We expect the highest levels of honesty and integrity from all of our staff and anyone who falls below these standards will be held to account.
“We have identified the people whose images have been viewed and have personally visited and updated the families affected.
“A rigorous and extensive investigation has found no evidence that the images have been shared.
“A comprehensive review of current security and access systems and processes has been carried out to ensure that these are as robust as possible.”
Collins will be sentenced on January 7.