Two men arrested in probe over hundreds of ‘manipulated’ forensic tests
Hundreds of people may have been the victims of miscarriages of justice as a result of “manipulation” of drink and drug tests at a forensic lab in Greater Manchester.
Two men, aged 47 and 31, employed at Randox Testing Services (RTS), which analyses blood, saliva and hair samples on behalf of police forces, have been arrested by Greater Manchester Police.
RTS said the issue had come to light as a result of an internal investigation at its Manchester site.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s forensic science lead, Ch Const Debbie Simpson, confirmed a criminal inquiry had started into the “quality failure” and that 484 cases would need to be reviewed.
Forces around the country would now determine “if compromised data played a part in prosecution, and the CPS will then take appropriate action”, she said.
It means that hundreds of people could have been the victims of miscarriages of justice because of convictions based on incorrect toxicology test results in their cases.
RTS said the manipulation was of quality control data supporting the test results, rather than the samples themselves. It said no alcohol samples were affected, and some tests could be “rerun to provide robust, uncompromised results”.
RTS, based in Northern Ireland with offices in London and Manchester, claims to be “a world leader in clinical diagnostic solutions with offices and distribution in over 145 countries”.
It is part of the Randox Laboratories group, which includes Randox Health, the sponsor of UK horse racing’s premier event, the Grand National.
In a statement on the website, it said the investigation was limited to its Manchester site.
GMP said the two men had been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and bailed until next month.
A GMP spokeswoman confirmed it had been asked to investigate forensic results issued by Randox Testing Services.
She added: “Randox Testing Services have provided forensic services to police forces, including GMP, for the past two years. The organisation is being fully cooperative [with] the investigation.”
