Crucial criminal evidence was put at risk of contamination through PSNI handling flaws, a watchdog said today.
A small number of crime scene articles sent for forensic examination did not comply with official standards, the criminal justice inspectorate said.
However, Chief inspector Kit Chivers said there had been steady progress in dealing with valuable items.
His report said: “Feedback from the Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) confirms concern about the quality of the packaging of some exhibits being submitted for scientific examination by the PSNI during the three-month period November 2007- January 2008.
“It was apparent that consistent quality control was not taking place within the PSNI prior to exhibits being sent to the laboratory.
“Non-compliance certificates were then being issued by the laboratory, whether for minor clerical issues or more significant concerns.”
Problems can range from unintelligible handwriting on packages to treatment by officers risking contamination.
The warning came after Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey was cleared in December of a total of 58 charges, including 29 murders. There was strongly worded criticism of how the police had collected, labelled and handled evidence in the case.
PA