Forensics
Profile: Innocence Network UK
In December 2014, a group of law students and lecturers from the University of Cardiff successfully overturned the murder conviction of Dwaine George, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment following the death of Daniel Dale in 2001. During the original trial, the jury determined that tiny particles of gunshot residue found on George’s jacket were enough to prove his guilt, but the Manchester teenager always maintained his innocence.... Read More
Open and Shut Cases – Historic Disputes Solved by DNA Testing
Every year, numerous criminal cases are re-opened due to evidence offered by DNA testing, leading to convictions or exonerations of long past crimes. The chances of other suspects featuring the same DNA profile are quoted as ‘billions to one’, making it an accurate way of proving that an individual was present and (often) involved in the crime. Of course, DNA evidence hasn’t always been present as a traditional form of police investigation,... Read More
Profile: Sir Alec Jeffreys – the pioneer of DNA testing
Today we almost take DNA testing in our stride rather than appreciating it for the marvel of modern science it truly is. TV shows like Jeremy Kyle have brought the pioneering work to the masses for entertainment, and thanks to detective shows like CSI, we all feel like we have a bit of the DNA expert in us. Such is its ubiquity that we tend not to appreciate quite how recent the discovery was and just how groundbreaking the discipline is... Read More