Expert Witness Legal News – page 24

Experts warn over Forensic Science Service move

The UK's justice system will take a "backward step" if the government closes its Forensic Science Service, experts have said. The warning comes in a letter to the Times which was signed by 33 leading forensic scientists.

They say the move would see the UK lose its position as the world leader in crime-scene investigations. The Home Office said it was confident the move would not adversely affect the criminal justice system.

It has decided to break up the service, which makes an operating loss of £2m per month.

Sara Payne criticises Forensic Science Service move

Campaigner Sara Payne, whose daughter Sarah was murdered, has criticised the government's decision to break up the Forensic Science Service.

She said Sarah's killer, Roy Whiting, would be free without its work. Her comments come after 33 leading forensic scientists warned the UK's justice system would take a "backward step" if the service closed.

World First for Computer Forensics

The University of Glamorgan has teamed up with American company AccessData to offer the first courses in the world to be accredited by the leading Computer Forensic software company.

From September 2009 both the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in Computer Forensics will carry the unique accreditation from AccessData.

Computer forensics tools maker hacked

Guidance Software had to do a forensic investigation on its own systems after a hacker broke in and accessed records, including credit card data, of thousands of customers.

The attack occurred in November, but wasn't discovered until Dec. 7, John Colbert, chief executive officer of Guidance, said in an interview Monday. The attack exposed data on thousands of the company's customers, including 3,800 whose names, addresses and credit card details were exposed, he said.

Changing Rx Practices in the Treatment of Mental Illness: Impact on Forensic Evidence

"Off-label" prescription practices are increasingly used in the treatment of symptoms related to mental illness. In support of this conclusion, evidence is reviewed on the antidepressant treatment of numerous non-depressive disorders and on the antipsychotic drug treatment of non-psychotic disorders.