Evidence in Chief Flashcards
Please state for the court your full name and role.
My name is Aidan Achten - I work for the New Zealand Police as a Fingerprint Officer, and I am based in the South Island Forensic Fingerprint Section.
State your duties within this role.
My duties include the examination of crime scenes and exhibits to locate and preserve fingerprints, as well as the identification of persons by means of their fingerprints.
What training or qualifications have you received that qualify you to undertake these duties?
I have a Diploma in Forensic Science received from the University of Otago, as well as a Diploma in Fingerprint Science received from the NZ Police.
Can you explain more about the FPO Training Programme?
All fingerprint officers must complete a 5-year training programme, which combines on-the-job training, with written and practical assessments.
These assessments include written exams, as well as practical exams which test our ability to examine scenes and exhibits in the fingerprint lab - to progress through the training, these assessments must be passed.
Outline for the court the examinations you carried out in relation to this case.
On the 19th of September 2023, I attended Christchurch’s Princess Margaret Hospital to examine a pharmaceutical storage room in accordance with Police file no 230917/6892 - my role was to examine the scene for any fingerprints.
Did you locate any fingerprints as a result of your examinations?
I located fingerprints on several surfaces of the room - which I labelled fingerprints ‘AA01’ through to ‘AA13’; and on several items located at the scene - which I labelled ‘A’ through to ‘F’.
I preserved these fingerprints using photography and fingerprint lifts - which I now produce as exhibits.
I have also prepared a photograph booklet, and a schedule, both of which depict the location of these fingerprints - which I now produce as exhibits.
Were any of these fingerprints subsequently identified to a person?
I identified several fingerprints from crime scene as belonging to the same person as the fingerprints recorded on the NZ Police fingerprint form bearing the name David Swann - this form has been produced as an exhibit.
The results of all my examinations are recorded on the schedule that I’ve previously produced.
What proficiency testing is carried out within your role?
All fingerprint officers must complete annual proficiency testing to show we are competent at carrying out fingerprint examinations.
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.
Have you read, and agree to comply with, the Code of Conduct for expert witnesses, and if so can you outline it for the Court
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.
Are you an expert?
I am in the process of completing the required examinations to be recognised as a fingerprint expert.
