BBC highlights DNA expert's warning on secrecy

BBC highlights DNA expert's warning on secrecy

A leading scientist, and one of the original team that developed the DNA fingerprinting technique, has warned that UK courts would not accept forensic evidence where the details of the techniques used to recover results is kept secret due to commercial confidentiality issues.

Speaking to the BBC, Professor Peter Gill warned that: "Courts will not accept secret tests that have not been subject to rigorous peer review and challenge."

Citing a recent court case which demonstrated the problems of using techniques shrouded in confidentiality he added that: "The framework to utilise forensic science in the UK, where the market is entirely privatised, is already fatally flawed."

Read Courts ‘will reject test secrecy'

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  • 25 Feb 2011