AN MSP has called for Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to meet scientists after the furore over expert witnesses in legal trials.
Jenny Marra, Labour MSP for north-east Scotland, spoke out after Kimberley Hainey had her murder conviction overturned after evidence in her case was deemed flawed.
Court of Appeal judges issued a statement advising trial judges not to allow "quack" doctors to give expert evidence on matters about which they have no qualifications. The court later apologised to two expert witnesses, Professor Sue Black and Dr Craig Cunningham, for failing to make clear the comment did not refer to them.
Ms Marra intervened after she was contacted by Ms Black, professor of anatomy and forensic anthropology at the University of Dundee.
Ms Marra wants the Mr MacAskill to meet Ms Black and her colleagues from the scientific community so they can discuss how the legal system may be better served through improved scientific understanding.
Ms Marra said: "It would be good if we could make some advances to a better understanding between science and the law as a result of this appeal."
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