Forensic Scientist Acquitted of Misconduct in Public Office

Ursula Collins was accused of misconduct in public office. She is a forensic scientist who had worked, in a long career, for the Forensic Science Service and then for the Metropolitan Police. After an internal review into her files an investigation concluded that there were failings in her work and she was prosecuted for misconduct in public office – the first prosecution of a Forensic Scientist. The defence saw expert evidence called about her state of health at the time and made criticisms of the working practices and management within the Metropolitan Police. Of the eight counts that she faced three were dismissed by the trial judge at the close of the prosecution case, the jury acquitted her of the remainder.

Ms Collins was represented by Leon Kazakos KC, instructed by Grant Ambridge at Murray Hughman.

Press coverage: BBC | The Times