Citation

Johnston GAR. Aust. J. Forensic Sci. 2017; 49(6): 626-636.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00450618.2016.1194476

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Expert witnesses have an important role to play in assisting judges and juries to make informed decisions in court. They are to provide assistance to the decisions makers, not to confuse them. Difficult legislation does not help to give clear and precise opinions. The author has appeared as an expert witness in a number of cases concerning chemicals that may be considered as illicit if they are considered to be analogues of and/or substantially similar to known banned chemicals as outlined in the Commonwealth Criminal Code. This is a personal view based on appearing as an expert witness for the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions in court proceedings. The author also draws on his experience as a Specialist Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal considering evidence from expert witnesses. The key issues for this review are what is a 'drug analogue' and are two or more chemicals 'substantially similar' in structure?

Language: en