Watchdog fails wrongly convicted owing to lack of forensic expertise, experts say

Lady Justice statue. Experts said the CCRC relies on legal professionals without a proper understanding of the science that underpins many convictions. Photograph: Anthony Brown/Alamy

The miscarriage of justice watchdog is failing prisoners appealing against wrongful convictions because it does not have forensic expertise and will not engage with third parties who do, experts have claimed.

Advisers to Inside Justice, a miscarriage of justice charity, say that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) relies on legal professionals without a proper understanding of the science that underpins many convictions and appeals.