Evidence in Chief Flashcards
Explain to the Court your role, and your responsibilities in that role.
My full name is Aidan Kingsley ACHTEN.
I am employed by the NZ Police as a Assistant Fingerprint Officer, based at the South Island Forensic Fingerprint Section, and I have been active in this role since March 2020.
My role includes the examination of crime scenes and exhibits, and the identification of persons by means of finger, palm, and footprints.
To assist the Court I have provided an annexure outlining the principles and methodology of fingerprint identification.
…which I would like to produce as an exhibit.
What are your qualifications?
I have completed a Crime Scene Foundation course held at the Royal New Zealand Police College, and I am currently studying towards a Diploma in Fingerprint Science.
Can you explain to the Court more about the Fingerprint Officer Training Programme?
The Fingerprint Officer training programme is a five-year tertiary-level programme run by the New Zealand Police that combines the study of fingerprint science with workplace learning.
The programme involves completing modules, which are blocks of knowledge relating to fingerprint science and the different areas of work carried out by Fingerprint Officers.
These modules are assessed in the way of written assignments, knowledge tests, and examinations, and these assessments must be passed to progress through the training.
I also complete logbooks so that my practical experience in the role can be tracked and assessed.
My work is assessed by qualified fingerprint officers in my own office, as well as by the Fingerprint Officer Training Coordinator, who is based at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Explain your examination of the Subaru Legacy.
On the 29th March 2022, I attended OTS Tow Yard, located at 60 Lismore Street, Waltham, Christchurch to examine a 1998 Subaru Legacy, registration number FSD935 for the purpose of locating, developing, and preserving finger, palm and footprints.
As a result of my examination, I located and developed fingerprints on several external and internal surfaces of the vehicle, as well as on a mobile phone located inside the vehicle.
I preserved these fingerprints with photography and fingerprint lifts, which I labelled AA01 through to AA13.
I now produce these fingerprint photographs and lifts as exhibits.
I signed and dated each lift, and took photographs showing the location of all fingerprints in situ.
I now produce these photographs as exhibits.
Explain the examination you carried out of exhibits in the Christchurch Forensic Lab.
On the 29th March 2022, exhibits seized from the vehicle, which included brown tape, a McDonalds cup, and a magazine clipping were delivered by Detective Lucy SCHWANER to the South Island Forensic Fingerprint Section for examination.
That same day, I commenced an examination of these items for fingerprints, and as a result I located and developed three fingerprints on the brown tape, which I labelled ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’. I took photographs to preserve, and show the location, of these fingerprints.
…which I would like to produce these photographs as exhibits.
No fingerprints were located on the remaining items.
Did you identify any of these fingerprints?
I subsequently identified fingerprints labelled AA01, AA02, AA06 to AA08, as well as fingerprints labelled B and C as belonging to the same person as those recorded on the New Zealand Police fingerprint form bearing the name Graham HARRISON.
I have produced a schedule listing all of the fingerprints mentioned above, and the results of my examination of these fingerprints
…which I would like to produce as an exhibit.
Can you describe the Code of Conduct for expert witnesses?
The Code of Conduct states that as an expert witness I have a duty to:
Impartially educate the court on all matters within my field of expertise, which is fingerprints, and
As part of my evidence I will state the matters that I will be addressing with my evidence, my opinions in relation to these matters, and any examinations that I have carried out to support these opinions.
I must also, when directed by the Court, confer with other expert witnesses, and come to an agreement on matters within our field of expertise.
Can you explain what proficiency testing is carried out within your role?
All fingerprint officers must complete annual proficiency testing to show that they are competent at carrying out fingerprint identifications, and these tests are provided by the Collaborative Testing Services, which is an independent testing service which provides international proficiency testing for a range of forensic disciplines.
Can you explain more about the Crime Scene Foundation Course?
The Crime Scene Foundation course is a two-week course held at the Royal New Zealand Police College and taught by members of the New Zealand Police, as well as members of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research.
This course served as an introductory course to methods of locating and preserving a range of different types of forensic evidence, including fingerprints.
Are you an expert?
Based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I am a specialist in the field of fingerprint science, and I am in the process of completing the required examinations to be recognised as an expert in this field.
