Professor ‘unreservedly’ apologies for false accusation against police DNA scientists. : Melbourne Indymedia

Readers may recall an article by DNA Info a couple of weeks ago which called into question the use of DNA evidence in criminal trials. Selective information from a television documentary comprised the bulk of the ‘evidence’ to justify their claim that police were planting DNA evidence on suspects in order to secure convictions. Astute readers will also recall that no actual evidence was produced to support this claim. Just plenty of allegations.

A champion of DNA Info’s cause was one Professor Barry Boethcher, a former biology professor at Newcastle University. Bazz had alleged that police at the Victorian Forensic Science Center had deliberately contaminated the DNA sample found on Jaiden Leskie’s clothing. Serious stuff indeed. The good professor expressed hope that he would be summoned to appear before the coroner investigating Jaiden’s murder so that he could expound his theories in the public domain and bring to light a disgraceful episode in Victorian policing history.

Well, dear readers, the professor got his wish. He received his summons, duly presented himself before a video camera for a link to the court and….promptly offered ‘unreserved’ apologies to the scientists he had wrongly accused of deliberate contamination. You see folks, the good professor had made the mistake many armchair critics often do in cases involving the police; he opened his trap before apprising himself of all the facts. No doubt the learned proff would deduct marks from a student’s essay for such shoddy research and preparation. He expressed an uninformed opinion, which like an arsehole, most people have but few are interested in seeing. After reading all relevant documentation, you see, he realized his big mistake. He had spoken from an uniformed position. Ballistic podiatry I think it’s called. Shooting one self in the foot.

Questioned if there was any evidence (you know, DNA Info, that awful word that keeps rearing its ugly head) of deliberetae contamination, Professor Boetcher bowed his head and replied, No. None at all.

Case dismissed. Next!

DNA Info, you are like many people at this year’s Melbourne Cup. You backed the wrong horse. And did your cause no good at all.