New details have emerged about forensic testing deficiencies at two of the country’s leading laboratories – Randox Testing Services (RTS) and Trimega Laboratories. Police are currently investigating the exact circumstances and a number of people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
RTS and Trimega Laboratories handle samples for some of the most high-profile criminal and family law cases, with the accuracy of the tests of paramount importance to people facing criminal prosecution for offences ranging from drink driving to murder.
Home Office Minister Nick Hurd told parliament:
‘Most drug tests from RTS between 2013 and 2017 are being treated as potentially unreliable. RTS was mainly commissioned by individual police forces when investigating criminal offences.’
As a result, it is believed that the results from as many as 10,000 tests could be under question.
Is your criminal conviction safe?
If a conviction in your case rested wholly or partially on the reliability of forensic tests, it is essential that you seek further legal advice.
While the Crown Prosecution Service will be carrying out a review into criminal cases, this will take a considerable period of time and many will question whether the body that brought the prosecution in the first place is ideally placed to make decisions as to the safety or otherwise of a conviction.
Those affected will therefore wish to consider whether any further forensic testing ought to take place and even whether or not there are grounds to appeal. All convictions will need to be considered on a case by case basis.
Even if your case did not rely on evidence handled by the two laboratories currently under investigation, this scandal throws a spotlight on the hidden world of forensic testing and calls into doubt results and evidence from other forensic testing providers.
How we can help you
Regardless of whether we handled your case initially, our experienced team of lawyers has the expertise to ensure the safety of your conviction is beyond question.
If you believe that inaccurate forensic testing may have led you to be wrongfully convicted for a crime – including pleading guilty to an offence – please contact Wheldon Law on 01442 242999 or enquiries@wheldonlaw.co.uk.