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Reviews of Fitted In: The Cardiff 3 and the Lynette White Inquiry

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May

Reviews of Fitted In: The Cardiff 3 and the Lynette White Inquiry

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Reviews of Fitted In: The Cardiff 3 and the Lynette White Inquiry

“It is left to the author of this remarkable book, Satish Sekar to meticulously probe into this highly controversial case and come up with compelling new evidence, which finally culminated in the re-opening of the case. This book is a monument to his untiring efforts and dedication to serve the cause of justice. Sekar succeeds in exposing several shocking flaws in the British judicial system which can cause terrible miscarriages of justice, as happened in the case of the Cardiff 3.

The Cardiff 3 case is a classical example of such coercive tactics employed by police in most parts of the world in order to secure a conviction. In fact, in countries such as India, the situation is much worse than in countries like the UK or USA, where there are considerable safeguards against maltreatment of suspects. One shudders at the methods of interrogation commonly employed in many police stations of this country, which are often little more than rituals of physical torture. One wishes there were investigative journalists of the caliber of Satish Sekar to expose such inhuman methods of “criminal investigation” in India, while at the same time acknowledging the irony of his Indian origins!

This book has all the makings of a classic, containing as it does, explicit information for a definitive indictment of the so-called adversarial system of justice practiced in several countries of the world. It should be a mandatory addition to Police Academy libraries, and must find a prominent place in all lawyer’s offices, so that it may serve as a grim reminder of what can go wrong when shortcuts are taken, or personal bias is allowed to creep in, while pursuing the investigation of a serious crime.”
Professor V V Pillay (Indian forensic Toxicologist)

“It is quite obvious that Sekar has done his homework well. Fitted In: The Cardiff 3 and the Lynette White Inquiry had an impact, contributing to changes in investigative techniques and to the notorious case being re-opened for a second time. The book is meticulously researched, fast-paced, often chatty in style, witty and always entertaining. Not only is his technical knowledge – especially regarding DNA – immaculate, he has got a knack of explaining complex concepts in simple non-technical language. This book is a fascinating masterpiece of investigative journalism and sheer doggedness on the part of the author.

The book starts off with forewords by the well-known Queen's Counsel, Michael Mansfield as well as others involved in the case. Part one of the book, titled "The Inquiry", sets the background, the initial murder investigation and the events leading to the arrest and charging of the suspects. This section is written in a gripping style with vast amounts of background material.

Part two covers the trials. Sekar analyses every aspect of the court proceedings and highlights the Prosecution’s dogged determination to get a conviction at any cost and the failures of the Defence. Amazingly, the Defence did not think it was important to play the tapes covering the whole of Miller's police interview. Apart from the bullying tactics the police never asked Miller as to who actually wielded the knife and what actually happened to the knife. The murder weapon was never found. One would expect that information to be contained in a voluntary confession. The final part is titled "The Whitewash". [It] covers the appeal and the subsequent reopening of the case and is a through analysis of the bloodstain evidence.

The book is a rather disturbing read and shakes the very foundations of the British legal system. Where crimes are horrific, high profile, with massive media coverage and public alarm there is a considerable burden placed on the police. In an increasingly ‘performance related’ society the success of a police investigation is judged by convictions. This creates an atmosphere of inadequacy and a feeling of under performance with the temptation to ‘round up the usual suspects.’

As Satish stresses the purpose of the book is not a witch-hunt of the South Wales Police but to learn the lessons that this case can teach us in order to prevent it from happening again. Apart from the scientific evidence two important lessons that can be learnt from this case is the manner in which the ‘confessions’ were obtained and the use of police informers or ‘grasses.’ Almost invariably such informers are unreliable because they provide information in the expectation of a reward.

The research and investigations of Satish Sekar resulted in the reopening of the murder. It is a landmark publication at least in that respect.”
Dr Gyan Fernando (Home Office Pathologist for Devon and Cornwall)

“The book is a detailed account of a common crime and the ignoble role of the Police to concoct evidence to convict innocent individuals. The author in a display of committed journalism, employing an extraordinary knowledge of forensic science, doggedly followed and studied the evidence in the case. He then, again against the run of officialdom, was able to force the relevant authorities to review the case. The author’s efforts were crowned with success as the innocent Cardiff 3 were acquitted. The miscarriage of justice has not completely been ‘carried’ as the unlawful methods used by the police to concoct evidence against the innocent have not been purged.

Not satisfied with the freedom gained by the Cardiff 3 at the appeal, the author by dint of committed industry involving the local MP of the murder victim, Lynette White, was able to secure an inquiry into the death to find the real culprits.

The narrative would have been exciting fiction if the sordid events mainly by the police were not real. The question is: ‘what is the incentive for the police to concoct evidence to convict innocents’? Do they get promoted on the basis of convictions they secure for offences? The case is, by the author’s assertion, the longest murder trial in British legal history with obvious cost implications and is ranked among the worst travesties of justice in British legal history. The role of the police in this and other cases is a cause for concern. The police lacked commitment by concocting evidence in the pursuit to secure justice. They displayed a conflict of interest in this case. Finally they exhibited shameful racial profiling when they selectively ignored or applied DNA evidence to prosecute or otherwise.

The author’s handling of the forensic genetic evidence was erudite and is as good as if done by a specialist. This is the reward of a dedicated and committed research. This reinforces the recommendation of this book.

This book sheds light on life in decaying inner cities where the youths have found themselves desperate and have resorted to sex, drugs and crime. In the past few years the democracies of the world have been focusing attention to the inner city peculiarities. Unfortunately no such salutary attention is evident in the developing world. Another tribute to the author is the moral depicted by his dogged quest for justice for others. Go ahead and read this book. You would thank me I recommended such a beauty to you.
Dr Ndubuise Eke (Head of Department of Surgery and Senior Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria)

“The South Wales police force presented the Lynette White case as a model investigation. Satish Sekar shows how their first inquiry was, in fact, a model miscarriage of justice. Sekar ... has produced an exhaustive account of the case. He shows how almost every aspect of criminal evidence was tampered with during the inquiry. Known perjurers were used as witnesses for the Crown; DNA material was either lost or misused; prime suspects were ignored. Sekar’s most telling remarks, though, relate to abuses of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The Thatcher Government claimed that PACE would protect citizens from unfair and aggressive police questioning. Steve Miller was not so well served.”

The Times Literary Supplement

Last Updated on Monday, 23 May 2011 16:48

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