The absence of forensic skills in the legal profession needs to be addressed, says Carole McCartney
As television viewers and legal professionals alike will attest, forensic science is increasingly pivotal in criminal investigations and central to the detection of crime. It has also long been called upon to assist with a myriad of other “legal” investigations such as health and safety investigations; anti-terrorism, family and immigration cases, and other regulatory or civil issues. Upon qualification, all lawyers are quickly required to understand and manipulate information from scientists and other experts. Moreover, the significance of forensic science to the legal system can only be expected to increase with scientific developments occurring at a fast pace, yet there is growing concern about whether the legal profession are keeping up with the scientists.
The “problems” with forensic science, and mistakes made by experts, are rehearsed in the media on an increasingly regular basis. Normally absent from such criticisms is any examination of why it was that no lawyer was able to spot a potential issue or had drawn attention to errors before damage was done.
