reputations shattered that the Serious Crimes Inquiry hearings have ended.

The finger pointing and mudslinging that went on should have left most spectators feeling slightly sick and the participants embarrassed; is there no-one in this community who will take responsibility for anything? At the same time, through all of this, some truths have come out and Bermuda has a much clearer idea of what went wrong in the investigation and prosecution of the Rebecca Middleton murder case.

What can only be hoped that the mistakes will never be repeated again. For what it's worth, that could be Rebecca Middleton's legacy.

There are people who should be held accountable.

Former Attorney General Elliott Mottley, in spite of his protestations, agreed to accept Kirk Mundy's plea and to charge Justis Smith with murder. As Attorney General, the buck has to stop with him for the decision, which was ultimately proved wrong.

And if he was unhappy with the prosecution of the case, as LeYoni Junos stated before the hearing on Friday, he could have taken it over himself.

The responsibility cannot stop with Mr. Mottley.

Clearly, the Police mishandled the gathering of evidence and there seemed to be a willingness on their part as well to accept Mundy's evidence at face value, in spite of the circumstantial evidence which right from the outset suggested he was wrong.

The fact that scenes of crime are being investigated based on standards which are almost two decades old is unacceptable, as is the apparent unwillingness to use conclusive DNA evidence in all but a few cases.

Very little was heard from the Police about how they go about investigating serious crimes or what steps have been taken to prevent a repeat of the Middleton debacle.

And the fact that many of Rebecca Middleton's father, David's, questions about the case remain unanswered even at the conclusion of the case is disturbing.

Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo has spent a good deal of time defending his role in the case, which appeared to be limited to being present when the plea was discussed and dismissed.

He has dismissed allegations that he knew or supported the Smith family and his claims have to be accepted.

Now the Commissioners must decide, amid all the finger pointing, what is the truth and what is not. Determining what went wrong in the Middleton case and other cases is the first step to ensuring that cases are investigated be better in the future and those responsible for crimes are held accountable.

No-one should have to go through the pain and frustration that Rebecca Middleton's family have endured since their daughter's death. It is up to the Commission to make sure that the right procedures are in place to ensure no-one else does.