Defence solicitors have been advised to check the credentials of forensic medical examiners (FMEs) following a warning that police use of inexperienced agency staff may be putting detainees at risk.

Ian Kelcey, chairman of the Law Society’s criminal law committee, said inadequately trained or qualified FMEs could lead to evidence being excluded at trial. ‘Defence representatives need to be proactive in asking for the credentials of FMEs, so they are properly armed to challenge the evidence,’ he said.

His warning follows a row between the Metropolitan Police and its regular body of FMEs over the terms of a new contract. Many doctors have refused to sign the new terms, claiming they alter their employment status, forcing the Met to rely on agency doctors. Dr Michael Wilks, the FME who led contract negotiations on behalf of the doctors, said many of those drafted in lack adequate training or experience to ensure the safety of people in custody.

‘I have seen two cases that have given me deep concern over how things were done. This is not because the individuals concerned are bad doctors, but because they didn’t have the familiarity with custody medicine or forensic medicine,’ he said. Wilks said detainees would continue to be at risk until there is a fully trained regular group of FMEs, which he said could take some time.

A Met spokesman said increasing numbers of London FMEs are signing up to the new contract.