Although it is important that we discuss these things, there is very limited chance we can prevent law firms to have in-house forensic experts.
Law firms specialize in cases, and those who call on experts often enough realize the cost savings if someone was on-staff, and on-call.
I don't think there will be rash of new forensic labs and departments in law firms but some will definitely try, as a cost savings solution.
I think it will be more prevalent in firms specialized in civil cases, as opposed to criminal cases.
Until the 'other side' can show consistently that in-house experts are somehow tainted, law firms will consider it as was to financial savings.
Just my two cronos.
I would hope that even if a Forensic examiner was employed by a defence team they would be honest enough to give a fair and true version of what was found instead of just trumping up what was beneficial to the defence and forgetting about producing that which may be detrimental to their case.
Exactly! We're here to establish and express the relevant facts (all of them) so the lawyers can deliver their informed arguments in court and provide appropriate advice to their clients, regardless of which 'side' we're on.
Or am I living in my own little Utopia?????
If you are then I'm in a pretty similar Utopia )
For there to be professional ethics and professional conduct there must have been intellectual and intelligent debate at the outset. As I see these important standards they combine to guide the expert etc that s/he should do no harm and avoid entering into potentially compromising situations.
What attracted many, myself included, to forensics is the ethical standards and professionalism it requires, combined with aims & objectives to perform to the highest possible standards or at least contribute to their development.
Avoid throwing 'the baby out with the bath water' is a very well used phrase, I know, but can provide an apt analogy and parable at the same time. Professional ethics and professional conduct not only seek to avoid throwing the the baby out, but also seeks to avoid throwing the bath out, as well.
To peel away and try to remove the layers of standards that have been in place for many decades that provides re-dress when harm is caused and sanction for compromisation I think needs more careful consideration.