Examples where Opinions and Interpretations may be Requested

It is a common misconception that opinions and interpretations are only offered by forensic scientists and Public Analysts. Analysts from many areas are required to provide this service, e.g. those dealing with consumer safety, geology/geochemistry, oil exploration and food science, to mention but a few. Some examples are given below. 

A building consultant has asked a laboratory to carry out a series of measurements on a range of determinands in a number of soil samples taken from an area of land. The purpose of the analysis is to determine if the soil is contaminated. Based on the results, it is the opinion of the laboratory that the land is contaminated and that the soil needs to be removed to a depth of 2 m and filled with clean soil. 

Another case might be an in-house investigation of a manufacturing plant effluent. Samples are sent to a laboratory and the results from a number of analytical tests indicate that there has been an effluent system failure. In the opinion of the laboratory, the likely cause of the failure is blocked filters. 

Opinions may also include how a result can be used in the legal defence or prosecution of an individual or organization. This can arise from a number of different cases, such as alcohol levels in a blood sample, contamination of a foodstuff, meat content of pies or whether oil comes from a particular oil field. 

When opinions and/or interpretations of results are required, it is essential that this is established during the setting-up of the contract to carry out the work. If 

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