On Tuesday 15th January the House of Lords Science and Technology
Select Committee will continue to hear evidence about the use of
forensic science in courts in England and Wales and its
contribution to the delivery of justice.
The Committee will question Dr Sheila
Willis, former Director-General of Forensic Science Ireland, the
national forensic laboratory of the Republic of Ireland. Dr
Willis is currently a guest researcher at the United States
of America’s National Institute of Standards
Technology.
The Committee will ask what structures
are in place in the Republic of Ireland, the U.S. and other
countries that enable the most needed research in forensic
science. The Committee will also explore approaches that
successfully provide a current source of responsive, independent,
balanced and accessible analysis of emerging science and
technology to those involved in criminal
investigations.
The Session will begin at 3:25pm
in Committee Room 4A of the House of Lords. Giving evidence will
be:
-
Dr Sheila
Willis, Guest
Researcher, National Institute of Standards and
Technology
Questions the Committee are
likely to ask include:
-
Where are the gaps in forensic science
research and in the understanding of forensic science evidence
given your experiences in various
jurisdictions?
-
The Committee has heard in written and oral
evidence about the value of a ‘sterile corridor’ between
investigators and the delivery of forensic science. To what
degree is this achieved in other jurisdictions and in your view
what challenges does having a separation of this nature create,
and address?
-
Are they any lessons from the way the
forensic science market operates in other jurisdictions that
can learned for England and Wales?
