Forensic science has become an important tool in law
enforcement. In some cases, it has helped convict suspects, while
in others the tests have exonerated suspects or overturned previous
convictions.
A forensic investigator who has a specialty in Fire
investigation, Document and fingerprint analysis, Avril
Eyewu-Edero, in an interview with
TheNigerialawyer shared her experiences
on how she carried out an investigation and build up cases using
science. She also talked about the challenges she has encountered
in the course of doing the works.
Avril Eyewu-Edero, obtained a BSc in Forensic science with
psychology from the London Southbank University, Uk, and a master’s
in Forensic Psychology and criminal investigation from the
University of Liverpool, Uk and she has been in practice as a
forensic investigator for 9 years.
Excerpt
We understand that you are the founder of EEA could you
tell us what it’s all about?
EEA Forensics is a forensic consulting and training firm that
assists public and private firms with investigation using forensics
to build up their cases. We carry out forensic analysis as well and
also conduct various training and forensic masterclasses
You stated that you have through your EEA carried out
private forensic services, can you give an example and how you were
able to achieve your goal.
One of the most popular analysis we carry out is document
analysis for issues with wills. So if there is a dispute with the
signature on the will, we are consulted for our scientific opinion,
this is presented in court. We also handle a lot of fire
investigation to ascertain if it is arson or accident, this helps
for insurance claims, etc
Why do you choose forensic as a career?
I have been passionate about forensics since I was 8 years old
watching FBI files and I’m quite inquisitive, so this made me
realize I had a clear career path
What are the challenges you have faced as a
forensic expert?.
One of the major challenges contamination of evidence the crime
scene, many times we get a call to lift prints after a theft, for
example, we get there and scene is heavily contaminated. I believe
it is the lack of awareness that is the problem. Also, the lack of
awareness about forensics and its usefulness in the criminal
justice system. Some people in the judiciary don’t have enough
exposure of forensic science so there’s a struggle with its
admissibility in court.
What purpose does forensic psychology do other than
criminal investigation?.
Forensic psychology is broad it is usefulness, apart from its
usefulness in the investigation and criminal profiling, it helps
with assisting the court with decisions such as bail and
sentencing, the psychological state and evaluation of the defendant
and if they can stand trial or not. So, the forensic psychologist
is an advisor for the court pre and post trial.
What does a forensic physiologist do at a
crime scene?
we don’t have any known branch of forensic that is physiology.
However, if it is psychologist, a forensic psychologist can analyse
the crime scene to develop a profile of a suspect that is unknown
mostly from the way the crime was perpetrated and the state the
offender left the crime scene, it will give an insight into the
mind of the offender and the possible motive for the crime.
Any anticipated changes in this knowledge, field or
techniques? Forensic science has continued to evolve with
advancement of technology especially in the area of DNA analysis.
Sadly we are still far behind in Nigeria. But in the nearest future
forensics would make investigations easier, in other climes, a lot
of cold cases are getting solved with advancement of forensic
science.
Has the focus of forensic evidence to solve a crime
caused law enforcement to forget or ignore more traditional methods
of crime-solving?
They hardly use forensic science. In other climes, forensic
science is a part of the investigation process, but deals with
analysis of crime scene evidence. The police have to still do their
job of investigating crimes, forensics just gets them 10 steps
ahead.
As a leading expert, what is your advice to the upcoming
experts in the field?
I wouldn’t classify myself as a leading expert just yet (Laugh).
For now, I am working hard to bring forensic science to the
forefront of the criminal justice system of Nigeria. I will
encourage more people to acquire the knowledge and the police and
government to adopt the use. This would make things much easier for
the judiciary and we wouldn’t have cases in court for years.
Forensic science has become an important tool in law
enforcement. In some cases, it has helped convict suspects, while
in others the tests have exonerated suspects or overturned previous
convictions.
A forensic investigator who has a specialty in Fire
investigation, Document and fingerprint analysis, Avril
Eyewu-Edero, in an interview with
TheNigerialawyer shared her experiences
on how she carried out an investigation and build up cases using
science. She also talked about the challenges she has encountered
in the course of doing the works.
Avril Eyewu-Edero, obtained a BSc in Forensic science with
psychology from the London Southbank University, Uk, and a master’s
in Forensic Psychology and criminal investigation from the
University of Liverpool, Uk and she has been in practice as a
forensic investigator for 9 years.
Excerpt
We understand that you are the founder of EEA could you
tell us what it’s all about?
EEA Forensics is a forensic consulting and training firm that
assists public and private firms with investigation using forensics
to build up their cases. We carry out forensic analysis as well and
also conduct various training and forensic masterclasses
You stated that you have through your EEA carried out
private forensic services, can you give an example and how you were
able to achieve your goal.
One of the most popular analysis we carry out is document
analysis for issues with wills. So if there is a dispute with the
signature on the will, we are consulted for our scientific opinion,
this is presented in court. We also handle a lot of fire
investigation to ascertain if it is arson or accident, this helps
for insurance claims, etc
Why do you choose forensic as a career?
I have been passionate about forensics since I was 8 years old
watching FBI files and I’m quite inquisitive, so this made me
realize I had a clear career path
What are the challenges you have faced as a
forensic expert?.
One of the major challenges contamination of evidence the crime
scene, many times we get a call to lift prints after a theft, for
example, we get there and scene is heavily contaminated. I believe
it is the lack of awareness that is the problem. Also, the lack of
awareness about forensics and its usefulness in the criminal
justice system. Some people in the judiciary don’t have enough
exposure of forensic science so there’s a struggle with its
admissibility in court.
What purpose does forensic psychology do other than
criminal investigation?.
Forensic psychology is broad it is usefulness, apart from its
usefulness in the investigation and criminal profiling, it helps
with assisting the court with decisions such as bail and
sentencing, the psychological state and evaluation of the defendant
and if they can stand trial or not. So, the forensic psychologist
is an advisor for the court pre and post trial.
What does a forensic physiologist do at a
crime scene?
we don’t have any known branch of forensic that is physiology.
However, if it is psychologist, a forensic psychologist can analyse
the crime scene to develop a profile of a suspect that is unknown
mostly from the way the crime was perpetrated and the state the
offender left the crime scene, it will give an insight into the
mind of the offender and the possible motive for the crime.
Any anticipated changes in this knowledge, field or
techniques? Forensic science has continued to evolve with
advancement of technology especially in the area of DNA analysis.
Sadly we are still far behind in Nigeria. But in the nearest future
forensics would make investigations easier, in other climes, a lot
of cold cases are getting solved with advancement of forensic
science.
Has the focus of forensic evidence to solve a crime
caused law enforcement to forget or ignore more traditional methods
of crime-solving?
They hardly use forensic science. In other climes, forensic
science is a part of the investigation process, but deals with
analysis of crime scene evidence. The police have to still do their
job of investigating crimes, forensics just gets them 10 steps
ahead.
As a leading expert, what is your advice to the upcoming
experts in the field?
I wouldn’t classify myself as a leading expert just yet (Laugh).
For now, I am working hard to bring forensic science to the
forefront of the criminal justice system of Nigeria. I will
encourage more people to acquire the knowledge and the police and
government to adopt the use. This would make things much easier for
the judiciary and we wouldn’t have cases in court for years.