A leading prosecution lawyer has warned that the outsourcing of police doctors' work could lead to rapists escaping prosecution.
Simon Di Rollo QC criticised the experience and communication skills of some foreign police doctors being hired by private agencies to carry out duties for police forces, including examining victims of crime.
Mr Di Rollo said doctors who could not communicate properly with juries and lacked experience could lower the chances of securing successful rape convictions.
The advocate depute was speaking after a recent rape case in Inverness in which a Croatian doctor who had examined the victim gave evidence in court.
The doctor has now been sacked by Medacs Healthcare Limited - the private company which hired him - after concerns were raised about his standard of work.
Mr Di Rollo, who was prosecuting the rape trial, wrote a letter of complaint to the procurator fiscal in Inverness following the case, which was heard in July.
He said: "I had concerns about his qualifications, experience and ability to communicate with the jury.
"Crucial work is being carried out and if it is not being done by someone who is competent and professional then innocent people could be convicted and guilty people may be acquitted."
In a statement, Medacs Healthcare Limited said the doctor had been dismissed following appraisals and feedback from the police service when it became apparent that he "was not achieving required standards".
A spokeswoman added: "A full internal investigation and review of procedures for the recruitment and training of all clinicians was carried out as a result of this case, resulting in further improvements to the company's recruitment procedures."
Simon Di Rollo QC criticised the experience and communication skills of some foreign police doctors being hired by private agencies to carry out duties for police forces, including examining victims of crime.
Mr Di Rollo said doctors who could not communicate properly with juries and lacked experience could lower the chances of securing successful rape convictions.
The advocate depute was speaking after a recent rape case in Inverness in which a Croatian doctor who had examined the victim gave evidence in court.
The doctor has now been sacked by Medacs Healthcare Limited - the private company which hired him - after concerns were raised about his standard of work.
Mr Di Rollo, who was prosecuting the rape trial, wrote a letter of complaint to the procurator fiscal in Inverness following the case, which was heard in July.
He said: "I had concerns about his qualifications, experience and ability to communicate with the jury.
"Crucial work is being carried out and if it is not being done by someone who is competent and professional then innocent people could be convicted and guilty people may be acquitted."
In a statement, Medacs Healthcare Limited said the doctor had been dismissed following appraisals and feedback from the police service when it became apparent that he "was not achieving required standards".
A spokeswoman added: "A full internal investigation and review of procedures for the recruitment and training of all clinicians was carried out as a result of this case, resulting in further improvements to the company's recruitment procedures."
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