Others showed Bellmon at the site with the neutral forensic experts.

In cases of disagreement, a neutral expert is called in for mediation and arbitration.

"I was glad I was at a table with the neutral experts and not the developers," he said.

Such neutral experts need to ensure a strict chain of custody and oversee the accuracy of laboratory analyses.

Many more neutral experts doubt even these figures.

There are some lingering questions about how the authority should be shared between Sierra Leone's judicial system and neutral international legal experts.

This issue is not hotly contested by the major "neutral" experts.

Even many neutral experts and military commanders say a larger force is needed to beef up security before elections.

A new team consisting of 30 neutral experts is being formed to investigate the cause of the failure.

One plan foresees the destruction of weapons to be verified by neutral experts.