IPCC investigate police crime scene officer

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is overseeing the investigation into the 48-year-old man’s qualifications and the quality of his work between 1996 to 2011. He is also being investigated for theft.

It’s understood he is alleged to have intentionally fabricated, mishandled and obmitted evidence in his cases.

The IPCC are directing the investigation, which covers work mainly performed for the Staffordshire and Cleveland police departments.

Investigators are examining allegations the man conducted sub-standard work, potentially undermining investigations into suspicious deaths, and lied about his qualifications in arson investigations.

The probe has been whittled down to focus on 90 cases in the Cleveland police force area, including one case involving a death which was reopened as a result of the probe’s initial findings. The 90 families have been notified. Cleveland police say most of the cases now under review involve suspicious or sudden deaths.

Families alerted

“We wanted to ensure we reached a stage where we could inform those families directly affected rather than publicise the investigation earlier and possibly create concern for a larger number of people,” IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said in a statement.

The man was suspended by Cleveland police in February 2011, arrested in May 2011 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and resigned in October 2011, the IPCC said. He is currently on bail.

“The allegations are serious and had the potential to impact a large number of investigations,” the IPCC said. “As this remains a criminal investigation we do not intend to go into specific detail about cases at this stage.”

In general, a UK crime scene investigator is onsite searching for evidence and recording findings so crimes can be properly investigated. The investigator does not necessarily have to be a police officer as some civilian candidates may be offered training programmes.