New studies question reliability of sniffer dogs and forensic evidence in courts
Researchers at UBC argue that courts need greater scrutiny of sniffer dogs, bloodstain patterns, and ballistics evidence used in North American criminal trials.
Research challenges forensic techniques
New papers published in The Alberta Law Review and forthcoming articles in Canadian legal journals examine common police methods. These studies suggest that decades of courtroom use does not guarantee the reliability of sniffer dogs or specific evidence types. Authors warn that judges and lawyers must understand the limitations of these scientific tools before admitting them as proof.
Experts call for better scrutiny
Sara Gordon from UBC states that liberty is at stake in criminal trials where forensic evidence plays a major role. She hopes this research helps legal professionals see what science can and cannot tell us accurately. The team found a lag between scientific advances and how courts treat these investigative techniques.
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