Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 112
important areas of forensic biology, including DNA
evidence, the examination of items for body 昀氀uids,
and the evaluation of complex evidence within the
context of the case. These are all areas that regularly
arise in criminal cases and can have a signi昀椀cant
impact on how biological evidence is understood
and applied.
How forensic biology supports
criminal cases
The work of the Forensic Access biology team spans
a broad range of forensic matters. The department
supports cases involving body 昀氀uid evidence, DNA
interpretation, blood pattern analysis, case review,
critical appraisal of forensic 昀椀ndings and expert
reporting. The team’s work can be relevant at
many di昀昀erent stages of an investigation or legal
proceeding, from early review of evidential issues
through to report preparation and court testimony.
DNA evidence is often viewed as one of the most
de昀椀nitive forms of forensic evidence, but its
interpretation is rarely straightforward.
Questions can arise around:
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This work is carried out across a wide range of case
types. Biological evidence may be central in o昀昀ences
such as murder, assault and sexual o昀昀ences, but
it can also be signi昀椀cant in historical cases, cold
case reviews, appeals, disputed allegations, and
matters where the presence or absence of biological
material forms part of the evidential picture. Each
case requires close attention to detail and careful
consideration of what the available 昀椀ndings do, and
do not, support.
How DNA was deposited
How long DNA may have been present
Whether transfer may have occurred directly or
indirectly
Whether contamination is a possibility
The signi昀椀cance that should be attached to the
昀椀ndings in the context of the issues in dispute.
A scientist working in this 昀椀eld must be able not
only to understand the technical science, but also
to apply it carefully to the facts of a case. They
must also keep abreast of both current research
and development, and improvements in applicable
scienti昀椀c methodologies.
The Forensic Access biology team works with both
defence and prosecution teams as well as directly
with law enforcement investigators. That breadth
of instruction re昀氀ects the importance of robust
scienti昀椀c expertise across the justice system. In some
cases, the team may be asked to review evidence on
behalf of defence solicitors or counsel, examining
the strength of the scienti昀椀c 昀椀ndings, the way
they have been interpreted, or whether alternative
explanations have been properly considered.
In other cases, forensic expertise may assist
investigative teams where biological evidence is
complex, contested or requires specialist evaluation.
James Beard’s contribution to discussions around
these issues re昀氀ects the kind of expertise needed
in modern forensic biology. Cases can involve
disputed accounts, limited material, historical
evidence, mixed DNA pro昀椀les, complex reporting
structures and competing interpretations. In those
circumstances, careful scienti昀椀c review and balanced
interpretation are essential. They help ensure that
evidence is neither overstated nor misunderstood.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
110
JUNE 2026
