Case Notes #011: Fingerprints and Forensics

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Ray Kane, his former colleague in the Garda Technical Bureau and Fingerprint Department.

Ray spent more than 30 years in policing, much of it in the Garda Technical Bureau. Together, Ray and John reflect on their experience in the Fingerprint Department, the unpredictable nature of crime scene work, and the responsibility of preserving and interpreting evidence in serious investigations to give victims of crime a voice.

Ray also speaks about the emotional impact of working around death and serious crime, and how one small piece of evidence can have a significant impact when solving a case.

Now a Consultant Forensic Expert, Ray also discusses his current role as Evidence Manager with the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention in Tuam, where forensic standards are being applied as part of the effort to recover and identify the remains of children who died at the former institution.