First forensic excellence awards
Two groups of forensic scientists who solved a 30 year-old murder and a brutal killing have become the first teams to receive the High Sheriffs Award for Forensic Excellence.
Two groups of forensic scientists who solved a 30 year-old murder and a brutal killing have become the first teams to receive the High Sheriffs Award for Forensic Excellence.
The idea for the new award came after the High Sheriff made a visit to the FSS (Forensic Science Service) laboratory in Huntingdon last year. He witnessed the hard work of the forensic scientists and realised that their contribution to the criminal justice system was not widely recognised. He suggested the award should be set up and should take place annually.
The successful cases were chosen from a shortlist of five in February by a panel, consisting of High Sheriff Simon Leatham, His Honour Nicholas Coleman from Peterborough Crown Court, Chief Constable Julia Spence, Chief Crown Prosecutor Richard Crowley and the Queen`s Counsel, Karim Khalil.
Speaking about the judging process, the Queens Counsel, Karim Khalil said: The compelling documentary and oral presentations of the final five cases demonstrated how the scientists involved had demonstrated skills of a very broad and high standard: complementing, informing and often leading the search for evidence in significant criminal enquiries. The winning two teams demonstrated outstanding qualities of tenacity, co-operation and co-ordination in cases presenting very different challenges. All those involved deserve the highest commendation.
FSS scientist Judith Cunnison who is a member of one of the winning teams said: It`s nice that the hard work of the team is recognised. Successes like this send out an important message: unsolved cases never go away, they are never forgotten.
His Honour Judge Nicholas Coleman, resident judge at Peterborough Combined Court also commented: I hope the innovation of this High Sheriff`s award will reinforce the widely held view that the Forensic Science Service laboratory and the highly skilled personnel employed therein are capable of developing techniques, which are at the forefront of the investigation of crime and which should be recognised more often and on a wider scale.