Criminal Cases Review Commission faces criticism over its handling of several high-profile cases
The miscarriage of justice watchdog is failing prisoners appealing against wrongful convictions because it does not have forensic expertise and will not engage with third parties who do, experts have claimed.
Advisers to Inside Justice, a miscarriage of justice charity, say that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) relies on legal professionals without a proper understanding of the science that underpins many convictions and appeals.
Dr Ann Priston, the former president of the Forensic Science Society (now the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences), said: “It’s so easy to assume that the science has been correctly applied and correctly interpreted. Knowing who to approach and when in this context is key to this problem and that is where the CCRC fails.
“Despite being the only body with the power to request documents and exhibits for further testing, they frequently refuse to do this, arguing that it would be pure speculation.
