Background
On 1 July 2011, the Science and Technology Committee published the report, The Forensic Science Service (FSS), criticising the Government’s plans to close the FSS. The report made several conclusions and recommendations about the transition and consequences of closure and how they should be managed. The FSS closed in March 2012 following a transition period where arrangements were made to deal with its staff, assets and case work.
Since the Committee’s report and closure of the FSS there have been major developments in the provision of forensic science in England and Wales. In addition, police force procurement of forensic science services has changed and the recent election of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) may influence further change.
Terms of reference
Forensic science follow-up
Oral Evidence
13 March 2013
Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State for Crime Prevention, Home Office, and Stephen Webb, Former Director, Finance and Strategy Directorate, Crime and Policing Group, Home Office
6 March 2013
Professor Bernard Silverman, Chief Scientific Adviser, Home Office, and Andrew Rennison, Forensic Science Regulator
13 February 2013
Karen Squibb-Williams, Strategic Policy Adviser, Crown Prosecution Service, Michael Turner QC, Chairman, Criminal Bar Association, and Richard Atkinson, Chair of Criminal Law Committee, Law Society
6 February 2013
Professor Martin Evison, Director, Northumbria University Centre for Forensic Science (NUCFS), Dr John Manlove, Manlove Forensics Ltd, and David Richardson, Chief Executive, LGC Forensics. Chief Constable Chris Sims, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Gary Pugh, Director of Forensic Services, Metropolitan Police Service, and Kevin Morton, Director of Scientific Support Services, Yorkshire and the Humber
30 January 2013
Alison Fendley, Executive Director, Forensic Archive Ltd, Dr Gill Tully, Consultant, Principal Forensic Services Ltd, and Helen Kenny, Former Branch Secretary for the FSS, Prospect Trade Union