Скачать или смотреть The Scottish Fingerprint inquiry: The Fingerprint That Lied

The Curious Case of Sarah Mackie
The unexpected incident that sparked a national inquiry into forensic reliability.
Initial public perception vs. the unfolding reality of forensic evidence.
Why this specific case became a critical turning point for fingerprint analysis.

This report investigates the fingerprint misidentification of Shirley McKie, which occurred during a high-profile murder inquiry in Scotland. It explores the police and legal fallout, detailing how conflicting expert testimonies led to McKie’s acquittal for perjury and the eventual quashing of David Asbury’s conviction. The sources scrutinise the subjectivity of fingerprint analysis, questioning the historic reliance on the sixteen-point standard and the assumption of human infallibility. The text outlines the organisational failures within the Scottish Criminal Record Office, including issues regarding confirmation bias and insufficient note-taking. Ultimately, the inquiry recommends a shift toward treating fingerprint evidence as opinion rather than fact, supported by more rigorous verification and training procedures. These findings aim to modernise forensic science to ensure the integrity of the justice system.