Forensic expertise when you need it

KEITH BORER CONSULTANTS CELEBRATED ITS 40TH YEAR IN BUSINESS IN 2020. SINCE DR BORER’S INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL TRIALS IN THE VERY EARLY DAYS, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN TO A TEAM OF 45, INCLUDING FORENSIC EXPERTS, CASEWORK LOGISTICS SUPPORT, ACCOUNTS AND MARKETING.

BENEFITS OF INSTRUCTING KEITH BORER CONSULTANTS

✔ We prepare reports in criminal, civil, family, disciplinary, review and private matters ✔ We have collective expertise across the full range of forensic science disciplines ✔ All staff are employed directly and not a network of outsourced consultants ✔ Experts undertake regular training and competence assessments ✔ All reports are peer reviewed by a second scientist ✔ Our dedicated admin support team are on hand to help progress cases and keep you informed ✔ Robust quality systems ensure consistency and high standards

As a high street law firm, you are likely to be the first point of call for many people, who may never have needed more than a conveyancing solicitor. Our experts have been instructed in many cases that may strike a chord with your work. For example:

SIGNATURE ANALYSIS IN FRAUD CASES

Recently, our handwriting team were asked to look at a mortgage application. A lady’s signature had been forged by her ex-husband. She knew nothing about the case until the loan company contacted her regarding overdue payments. Samples of the lady’s genuine signature were collected for comparison purposes.

MALICIOUS COMMUNICATIONS IN LOCAL AUTHORITY CARE CASE

Alleged love letters were sent to the mother as an attempt to paint her in an unfavourable light, by implying she had a number of partners or admirers. The handwriting evidence showed conclusively that her ex-partner, the child’s father, had written some of the documents in question. QUESTIONED HANDWRITING AND SIGNATURE ON A WILL

The executors had concerns about the content of the will and the wishes of the deceased. Gathering samples of the deceased person’s natural handwriting and signature was the focus in this case – greetings cards sent to friends and family and entries in her wall calendar were useful, as were documents collected from local authorities.

DRUGS ANALYSIS IN A FAMILY LAW MATTER

There was a condition in a Child Arrangements Order that the mother must not take drugs. We were asked to examine a syringe. Not only were drugs detected, but blood in the syringe could be linked through DNA profiling to the mother, and the date of manufacture of the syringe could be determined with the manufacturer’s help. A definitive answer for the Family Court.

CONSIDERATION OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND TOXICOLOGY RESULTS

A father had psoriasis and we were asked to consider whether or not this would cause his hair to grow more slowly – and therefore traces of drugs could be detected in his hair for longer – rather than the allegation that he had breached a Child Arrangements Order by taking drugs.

VEHICLE AND LOCUS EXAMINATION IN FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION

We were asked to review textile fibre evidence in a fatal collision where the defendant claimed to be the passenger rather than the driver. Fibres recovered from both front seats were compared with clothing worn by both parties. Other similar cases have involved DNA evidence from saliva on airbags, CCTV evidence from street cameras, or dashcam footage from the vehicle in question or those nearby. Our RTA team can produce drive through videos, as well as maps and plans, as part of their reconstruction of an accident scene (locus). DIGITAL FORENSICS

Downloads from mobile phones, messaging apps and social media platforms can help piece together conversations between two parties. This might be useful in family law disputes or cases of harassment. Digital forensics can also be useful in employment disputes.

KEITH BORER CONSULTANTS’ COMMITMENT TO YOU

With Keith Borer Consultants you get peace of mind knowing that your cases are in secure hands under a single umbrella. Our scientists are available to answer questions and discuss approaches to cases. We often work to tight deadlines and will provide a detailed estimate of costs, within existing Legal Aid rates, as required, with timescales set out clearly to assist progression of your case. If you have any concerns about one of your cases, then why not get in touch by phone or email for an informal discussion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr David Schudel is a Senior Manager and Forensic Scientist with Keith Borer Consultants. He specialises in Cell Site Analysis, Fire Investigation and other aspects of forensic chemistry.

For the full list of forensic services offered by Keith Borer Consultants, please see: Globe keithborer.co.uk PHONE 0191 332 4999 envelope kbc@keithborer.co.uk