Suspected murder

South Wales Police, Major Crime Investigation Team, Bridgend Police Station

Following the death of a child and claims from a defendant that she was asleep during various stages of events and that lights switching on and off throughout various time periods, were due to electrical faults and the installation of detectors controlling the lights, I was instructed to undertake an inspection of the electrical installation and to compile a report on my findings.

My report concluded that the electrical installation was rewired in 2018, was found to be fully operational and contained no such detectors causing the lights to operate automatically.

Client comment:

“Mr. Kelly responded promptly to our request, travelling a great distance to our scene with little notice. Mr. Kelly was extremely knowledgeable and professional, answering all our queries and providing the evidence we required.

Mr. Kelly provided a full and comprehensive report covering all the points we required and more. His report was professional, well written, and was again provided promptly.

Mr. Kelly was not required to provide evidence during the trial, but his comprehensive report prevented the defence teams from relying on certain lines of defence previously mentioned by one of the defendants.

I would certainly use Mr. Kelly again as an expert advisor.”

All three defendants were found guilty of murder and preventing the course of justice. They were all sentenced to life imprisonment.

Fatal house fire

Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot Police Authority, Criminal Investigation Unit

Following a house fire at a domestic property resulting in the death of a child and his father, I was instructed to attend the scene and carry out an inspection of the electrical installation in order to consider the possible cause of the fire.

It was noted that electrical equipment, likely from the seat of the fire, had been removed by the fire investigating team for inspection and analysis. Unfortunately, this prevented me inspecting this electrical equipment, or indeed commenting on the potential cause of the fire.

However, I was able to determine that the condition of the main electrical infrastructure was in a good, fully compliant condition, whilst numerous additions and alterations had been undertaken by a third party where the anomalies existing within this work identified a lack of knowledge, skill, care and experience of statutory and technical requirements relating to fundamental matters of electrical safety.

Upon completion of the inspection, I was further instructed to produce a report identifying my findings. I based this the details of this report on BS7671: 2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations (BS7671).

Client comment:

“As a Senior Investigating Officer with South Wales Police, I have recently used Mr Kelly’s services for the investigation of a fatal house fire. Although I was also using the services of a forensic scientist, it was essential I had an independent inspection of the electrical system within the premises.

Mr Kelly carried out a site visit within tight timescales and provided a clear and concise line of communication. I was provided with understanding and was I reassured as to the service that Mr Kelly could provide. I was sure his findings would be essential to the investigation.

Mr Kelly identified numerous alterations to the electrical system throughout the property which were not to the required standard. This provided the investigation with direction and gave the investigation team expert opinion in the form of a detailed report to present to the coroner.

I will certainly use BM Kelly and Associates Ltd on future cases and it was reassuring to be provided with a high quality of service.”