Case Study 91-04: Help for Accused in an Arson Case

A wood working factory in Western Canada was destroyed by fire and, on the strength of chromatograms of site samples, the Fire Marshall's office proceeded with arson charges. Investigative Science provided expert interpretation of the evidence provided by the Crown, including a thorough search of the forensic literature and preparation of a brief for the forensic engineer and lawyer for the accused. The court concluded that the evidence held by the Crown was weak. The case was thrown out of court.