Reports & recommendations
86 recommendations, each with the government response on the record. Filter by government response or delivery status.
Reports (1)
| Title | Volume | Publication Date | Recommendations | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Fingerprint Inquiry Report | - | 14 Dec 2011 | 86 |
Recommendations (2)
Fingerprint evidence as opinion
Fingerprint evidence should be recognised as opinion evidence, not fact, and those involved in the criminal justice system need to assess it as such on its merits.
The Inquiry recommended treating fingerprint evidence as opinion rather than fact in criminal proceedings. In December 2011, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill stated that advances had occurred in forensic services and expressed confidence that the recommendations would enhance them, without mentioning fingerprint evidence or its assessment on its merits (Kenny MacAskill response, Dec 2011).
Unable to exclude findings
Before a finding of ‘unable to exclude’ is led in evidence, careful consideration will require to be given to (a) the types of mark for which such a finding is meaningful and (b) the proper interpretation of the finding. An examiner led in evidence to support such a finding will require to give a careful explanation of its limitations.
The Inquiry asked prosecutors to evaluate 'unable to exclude' fingerprint findings before leading them in court. In December 2011, Kenny MacAskill, Justice Secretary, stated in a Scottish Government news release that there had been significant advances in the delivery of Scotland's forensic services since the McKie case (Kenny MacAskill response, Dec 2011). The Minister added that he was confident the recommendations from the Inquiry would "further enhance these services" (Kenny MacAskill response, Dec 2011). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of December 2011 (Kenny MacAskill response, Dec 2011).