Forensic Science Service

Further supplementary written evidence from Forensic Science Service

(FSS 87b)

Investigation into wind-down of Forensic Science Service: further information

After last week’s session at which FSS gave evidence before the Committee, we agreed to forward some further information to assist the enquiry further. One aspect of this was around the size of the total forensic market, including the work the police currently do in-house.

Whilst it is difficult for FSS to comment accurately on this, the HMIC report, ‘Valuing the Police’ from July 2010, estimates that in 09/10, £171m was spent internally by police forces on forensic science, versus £178m spent with external forensic science providers. It was also noted that the amount spent internally has rapidly increased over recent years, whilst that made available to forensic providers has fallen (estimated to have dropped to approximately £110-£100m this year – i.e. an approximate 40% drop in one year).

Some of this drop is attributable to the prices of ‘commodity’ products such as DNA and drugs tests being driven down by the competitive tendering process, saving police forces and the tax-payer significant amounts. More recently, however, forensic providers have seen a significant reduction in size and quantities of submissions as a result of forensic work (what many forces are describing as ‘pre-screening’) being undertaken in-house. If this trend were to continue, the market available to external providers would be reduced to the provision of commodity and analytical tests only, with no requirement to provide holistic, interpretive evidence. The key questions suggested by these trends are:

1. What is the size of the market for external suppliers likely to be in 2011/12 and beyond versus the £110m this year, and how these changes can be explained?

2. What will the value of in-sourced work be in 2011/12 and beyond versus the £171m for 09/10 and an explanation for the changes?

A more detailed analysis, including estimation regarding the size of the market is available in the 2010 PwC report commissioned by ACPO/NPIA.

In addition to the above, Dr Gill Tully is also compiling additional information for the Committee on archiving and cold case issues, the Silverman review and issues around complex case work.

Bill Griffiths

Chairman

Forensic Science Service

28 March 2011