Forensic Science Service

Written evidence submitted by Amanda Meaby (FSS 26)

I, Amanda Suzanne Douglass Meaby, am currently employed as a forensic biologist at the Forensic Science Service London facility. I have worked there since June 1996 and in that time I have worked on many hundreds of cases involving the analysis of body fluid staining and interpretation of DNA profiling results. I regularly provide evidential and intelligence assistance to the police and Criminal Justice System and this includes complex, high profile and sensitive matters. The direct impact on my family will be redundancy for both myself and my husband (he is also employed as a forensic scientist at the FSS London) with only a limited possibility that both of us would be re-employed in an alternative organisation. We do not have the financial security to sell our home and buy another. We also have the welfare of our two young children to consider.

1. It is essential that there is funding for innovation in the field of forensic science. The Forensic Science Service has been at the forefront of scientific advances in the field of forensic science for many years. Whilst I do not necessarily believe this needs to sit solely within the public sector, this area of the work must be placed in a sensible position with the supply of forensic science so that research done can be appropriate to the issues being faced in current case work and in the review of cold cases. Self-financing of such work is impossible when police customers are demanding quick and cheap forensic science and are therefore reducing any potential profit to be made.

2. The Forensic Science Service is a well respected organisation with a world recognised reputation. Impartiality and quality of work is of the utmost importance to ensure that the case work the organisation produces meets the high standard required for challenge via the Criminal Justice process. Staff training is rigorous in order to prove the scientists are competent to carry out their work and this is regularly monitored. Case work carried out is regularly subjected to audit via the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and there are staff dedicated to respond to quality issues highlighted so matters can be resolved efficiently via corrective action if deemed necessary. These standards cannot be easily or quickly achieved. It is also vital that an organisation has an experienced staff complement to avoid fragmentation of the continuity of evidence, which in the field of forensic science, cannot be gained once it has been lost. I am very concerned that the significance or impact of a case's findings could be mis-understood by the court if exhibits for examination are passed around to different organisations when the importance of continuity records is not fully appreciated. I am aware that the UKAS accreditation is a requirement for non police organisations but not for work conducted within the police force itself. In my view is certainly disadvantageous to the FSS/private suppliers as they have expenditure in this area that is not felt by the police. This should have been properly regulated.

3. I understand the Forensic Science Service's financial position is currently very poor. In my view, this has been brought about by the police customer demanding cheap and quick forensic science whilst the Forensic Science Service has battled against this to ensure the work is robust, impartial and of the high quality required by the Criminal Justice System. The FSS was given the opportunity to re-shape in order to meet the increasing demands of the police customer yet maintain its high standards and this transformation programme had gone exceptionally well. Unfortunately, the Home Office announcement on 14th December halted the transformation programme and now we will never know the true benefits of this investment in staff and intelligent property.

4. I do not believe the private sector can carry out all of the work currently performed by the Forensic Science Service. There are some commodity/test based procedures that would be relatively easy to set up and can be run for a small profit. However the FSS responds to complex and high profile work including national and international atrocities as it has the multi-discipline skills, expertise and man power resource as well as the reputation to complete the work very well. It is also important to consider whether the set up of new or expansion of existing forensic suppliers would be in proximity to the distribution of the skilled staff that would be redundant from the Forensic Science Service. Whilst findings alternative employment would be vital, given the current financial climate and the unstable forensic market, individuals are unlikely to relocate to a new area and incur great expense of moving house etc if their new role may not be available for the long term. Therefore it is likely that the experience of the county's forensic scientists will be lost. This cannot be regained overnight as the training of a new court reporting officer will cost tens of thousands of pounds and can take up to a year to complete basic training.

5. It is essential the Forensic Regulator takes action to ensure all suppliers of forensic science comply. As police in sourcing does not demonstrate impartiality, this should also be reviewed. In my opinion, the FSS should be allowed to complete its transformation programme whilst these matters are investigated and then assess the FSS's position in a fair market. I also believe that this country should ensure they have a forensic response in place to deal with any terrorist atrocity resulting from the London Olympics in 2012 as surely this event would make an ideal target.

6. I do not believe the FSS can cease operations by March 2012 given the complexity of the matter in hand. There are many factors to consider in order to achieve such a great task, one of the priorities is having a work force skilled enough to complete the task in an orderly manner. I do not believe it is right to ask the FSS to review its current redundancy terms when the closure of the FSS has already been announced. It can take many months to investigate a crime and for many, this extends into years. Therefore this requires careful planning by people who understand the implications if it is not conducted correctly.

Amanda Meaby

9 February 2011