CRIMINOLOGY UNIT 3

• An expert, such as a forensic scientist, could mislead the court, whether it be on purpose or as a result of a mistake is wrongly found guilty or not guilty. An example of this is the case of Sally Clarke who was found guilty for murders she did not commit as a result of an expert’s mistake. • Issue of contamination – if evidence us contaminated in the analysis process this can cause issues such as evidence being mixed up or incorrectly interpreted. This of course would lead to problems with the investigation, perhapsin accusing the wrong suspect or letting someone go due to evidence surrounding being lost. Case example-sally Clarke • Wrongly convicted of murder of her two sons as a result of the expert witness, professorsir Roy meadows, giving evidence that was based on wrong information Case example- Adam Scott • Falsely accused of rape after his DNA was contaminated, leading him to spend 5 months in custody charged with rape. Thisshows how contamination of evidence can affect a criminal investigation. Case example- Sarah Payne • Sarah Payne was a young girl that was abducted and murdered by a previously convicted pedophile Roy Whiting • Used fibers from sweatshirts found in the van to link he presence of Sarah there, found threads of school uniform on Velcro shoes • A number of clothing fibers and a single strand of Sarah’s hair were linked to items in the van used by Mr. Whiting to take the eight-year-old before driving more than 20 milesto dump her naked body. Strength • The special expertise of forensic scientists may be able to identify an interpret evidence that proves a suspect’s guilt or innocence • Their expertise may be essential in complex cases where the criminal also has specialist knowledge or skills Limitations • forensic scientists are highly qualified and theirservices are expensive • contamination of evidence can occur when it is being examined by scientist • forensic may disagree • if an expert deliberately or accidentally misleads the court, this can result in a miscarriage pf justice Police officers and detectives Role Police officers are most commonly the first people to arrive at a crime scene. Their first duty is to ensure the wellbeing of anyone involved, for example by calling an ambulance or keeping the public away from