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Thursday, 19 April, 2001, 17:07 GMT 18:07 UK
Frontline Scotland
![]() Frontline Scotland is BBC Scotland's investigative current affairs programme. Watch the programme live on Tuesday nights and again on demand by clicking on the links on this page. Full transcripts are on this page too. You can contact the programme directly by sending an e-mail - click here (frontline.scotland@bbc.co.uk).
The investigative series ends with an update on some of the featured stories. Presented by Jane Franchi and Shelley Jofre.
Click here to read the full transcript
The programme follows up last year's report on a fingerprint investigation laboratory which misidentified a policewoman's prints at a murder scene. In this edition, Shelley Jofre reveals how this investigation has called into question the laboratory's involvement in previous criminal cases.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: New doubts over fingerprint evidence Related story: Experts question fingerprint evidence Related site: Discussion of Asbury case and fingerprint identification
Recent health board studies and independent tests have shown that the drinking water in many newly built homes contains alarmingly high levels of lead. Jane Franchi reports on the action one family are taking after investigations showed the level of lead in their drinking water was 40 times the legal safety limit.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Lead contamination risk fears
Last year former Celtic soccer star Billy McPhail failed in his bid to win legal recognition that the Alzheimer's disease from which he suffers was caused by repeated heading of a football. But, as Jane Franchi reports, new scientific evidence suggests that footballers are risking brain injury when they head a football.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Alzheimer's Disease Related story: Drive to beat Alzheimer's Disease
The city of Glasgow has agreed to house 7,000 asylum seekers over the next five years as part of a government scheme to disperse refugees from the south-east of Britain to other parts of the country. Shelley Jofre reports on how social services are coping with the influx of refugees.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Asylum seekers policy under fire
Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills 50 people and leaves hundreds more suffering long-term illness. But, as Jane Franchi reports, it seems tell-tale signs of the odourless and invisible gas leaking from household appliances are being missed.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Campaign to cut poison gas deaths Related story: Council fined over man's death
Businesses all over the world are rushing to exploit new commercial opportunities offered by the internet. As increasing numbers of Scottish firms and consumers go online, Jane Franchi investigates the security risks posed by internet technology.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Firms warned about hacker attacks Related story: nCipher targets web security
In the past 12 months, Cardinal Thomas Winning's comments on issue such as abortion and Section 28 have placed the Catholic church at the heart of Scottish politics. As he nears his 75th birthday, Jane Franchi reports on his numerous clashes with the Scottish Executive, examines the criticism that if he wants to be politically active he should stand for election, and asks what will be the consequences of his new-found power.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Cardinal under fire Related story: Scotland's Cardinal controversy
More than 300 athletes worldwide, including Scotland's champion sprinter Doug Walker, are currently facing investigation after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone. Reporter Rob Maclean asks if the athletes concerned are "cheats" or victims of a flawed testing system.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Nandrolone and anabolic steroids Related story: Walker: 'I must remain upbeat'
Jane Franchi reports on the controversial departure last year of Orkney social work director Dr Avril Osborne, who had been brought in to restore the community's faith in the social work department after the South Ronaldsay scandal. Was it a witch hunt of had Osborne made a bad situation worse? The programme highlights a serious conflict of interests and counts the cost both financial and emotional to Orkney's people.
Click here to read the full transcript
Some driving experts now argue that the speed in which police vehicles respond to a crime is putting public safety in jeopardy. Reporter Jane Franchi investigates the quality of police driver training and talks to TV presenter Sheena McDonald, who was hit and badly injured by a police van on an emergency call last year.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story:Broadcaster condemns police driver training Related story:TV presenter to sue after acquittal Related story: Death crash PC convicted Related site: Scottish police forces
For decades, thousands of British servicemen took part in mustard and nerve gas trials at the Porton Down military base in Wiltshire. Reporter Jane Franchi joins two ailing servicemen as they return to the base in a bid to find out what really happened to them.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Did my husband die from lethal injection? Related story: Porton Down - a sinister air? Related site: Defence Evaluation Research Agency
Each year in Scotland, nearly £7m of NHS money is spent on straightening people's teeth, but is it money well spent? Jane Franchi investigates the burgeoning profession of orthodontics and suggests that much of the work done is unnecessary and fails.
Click here to read the full transcript
Harry Gormley committed suicide while serving a life sentence for the murder of his three-month-old daughter in 1998. Now, in a landmark case, Gormley's parents are being permitted to appeal against the trial verdict, claiming the judge was biased towards the prosecution. Reporter, Shelley Jofre.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story:Judge's role questioned in murder case
Jane Franchi reports on a disturbing child custody case involving Fiona Cameron, whose nine-year-old daughter went missing in France last July while on holiday with Cameron's estranged husband.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story:Thai connection to missing Scots girl Related story:New hope in child custody case Related story:Fears mount for Sasha's safety
With mobile phone masts sprouting up on top of numerous tower blocks in Scotland, Shelley Jofre reports on growing unease among scientists who fear they could damage people's health.
Click here to read the full transcript Related story: Mobile phone masts boom ahead
Drug-related deaths in Glasgow reached record levels last year with heroin taking much of the blame. But research has revealed a new problem - sleeping tablets being smuggled in from the continent.
Click here to read the full transcript of the programme Related story: More cash for Scottish drugs battle
The programme looks at the case of a police detective, Shirley McKie, who was forced to stand trial for perjury because of a fingerprint at a murder scene.
Click here to read the full transcript of the programme Related story: Fingerprint procedure review call Related story: Internet makes mark on fingerprint case Related site: Discussion of Shirley McKie's case (click on "Problem Idents")
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