Forensic Science Service

Written evidence submitted by Peter Grant (FSS 41)

1. Declaration of interests: Whilst I am employed by the FSS, this is a personal submission. In relation to my own experiences, I have tried, in brief, to demonstrate how the way the FSS operates is truly world class, innovative and, most importantly, irreplaceable.

2. My role is as a Major and Critical Incident Investigator (MCII) based at the FSS Laboratory in Wetherby. I operate in two main areas:

i. firstly, I assist the Police with designing forensic strategies for major and critical incidents to ensure that best use is made of forensic resources. For example, I recently undertook such a role with the Raoul Moat incidents. This often involves coordinating the work of different scientists at a number of sites and, increasingly, scientists employed by other providers.

ii. secondly I undertake forensic reviews of cold cases, principally homicides. I have carried out many such reviews with some notable successes such as the identification of John Humble as the infamous Yorkshire Ripper Hoaxer.

3. The strategy designing role is, to my knowledge, unique to the FSS and one that grew out of a specific Police requirement. Indeed, its origins can be traced back to the Byford inquiry into the Yorkshire Ripper investigation where he recommended the use of so-called ‘Byford scientists’ who could take a more global view of forensic work within major incidents, in particular linked enquiries.

4. This role was pioneered by the FSS as the Specialist Advisor (SA) in the late 1990s and has recently been updated to the MCII. It was written into the Murder Manual as part of recommended Police procedure. It has proved its worth in many cases including the murders of Leanne Tiernan and Sarah Payne and the abduction of Shannon Matthews.

5. To undertake this role requires a certain type of scientist with a forensic knowledge that cuts across all forensic disciplines from DNA to firearms and accelerants to footwear. With the closure of the FSS this role, and the vast pool of experience that these individuals possess, will be lost to the criminal justice system.

6. In terms of homicide cold case reviews, then the FSS is well in advance of other providers to the point that I do not believe that they could take on this role.

7. As background, it is an ACPO requirement that Police Forces reinvestigate undetected homicides at regular intervals; often the only opportunity for further work is in the area of forensic science. If forces fail to reinvestigate these crimes properly then they expose themselves to legal embarrassment with the knock on loss of public confidence.

8. Also, last May, the BBC Freedom of Information team established that there were 1,143 such unsolved killings on Police files.

9. To illustrate the FSS style of work, I should like to use as an example my work with West Yorkshire Police. Together we have set up Operation Pamphlet to reinvestigate 42 of their undetected homicides, an enormous task. However, working in partnership with the force, we have established a robust and transparent process for reviewing the cases and commissioning new scientific work in a phased manner.

10. In brief, the process combines a Police review with a survey of material (both in Force and within the FSS) from which a staged forensic examination strategy is designed. This strategy is regularly reviewed as results become available.

11. To date, some 14 cases have gone at least part way through the process and already some useful results have been obtained (albeit it would be inappropriate for me to detail which cases).

12. The scientific techniques are largely around DNA tests, especially Low Copy Number techniques. The FSS has by far the most experience of such tests. We also use some of the more exotic DNA tests (such as Y-STR profiling) developed by our research department. Some of the LCN tests have been carried out on original fibre tapings taken during the original examination of an item – a technique that was pioneered by the FSS in cases such as the murder of Lesley Molseed.

13. This style of cooperative work is in contrast to that of other suppliers and, I believe, typifies the collaborative approach that the modern FSS takes.

14. My work in Operation Pamphlet would be impossible without two other major FSS advantages which, again, cannot be matched by alternative suppliers.

15. The first is the goldmine of case files, retained material and perishable items that the FSS has built up over decades of forensic work. Often the case files are the only written material remaining as the Police have often disposed of their records in well intentioned but misdirected clear outs. This material must continue to be retained as within it is the evidence to catch many dangerous criminals. To transfer this material to another supplier would be a truly monumental task and would inevitably result in the loss of precious evidence.

16. The second is the experience of staff in the FSS (MCIIs in particular) with their historic knowledge of forensic tests and procedures giving the FSS a distinct advantage in deciphering the information within the files (some dating back over 40 years) and enabling them to make the best recommendations for new work. The loss of any these staff would represent a criminal waste of experience and knowledge.

17. It is also important to note that homicide reviews are much more problematic than reviews of other offence types. For starters, there are fewer of them, the scope for the transfer of physical evidence can be limited (e.g. shootings) and, by the nature of the offence, the original investigation is likely to have used up the most promising material.

18. Within Operation Pamphlet, West Yorkshire Police fully accept this and understand that a review will not necessarily lead to a conviction. However, to them it is as important that they carry out their obligation under the ACPO directive so that they can demonstrate that all their undetected homicides have been forensically brought up to date.

19. As stated earlier, the Pamphlet process is robust and transparent, so much so that we (West Yorkshire Police and the FSS) are recommending it as a model for other forces to use when they carry out their homicide reviews. The FSS continues to play a key role in this development. This includes peer reviewing ongoing academic research at PhD level by a serving officer studying the methodology, good practice, efficiency savings and future-proofing of cold case and ‘live’ homicides.

20. If, as planned, the FSS is closed then I fear that our excellent work in the area of forensic strategies and cold case reviews will be lost for good and that other suppliers will not be able to offer an equivalent alternative.

21. Finally, I would like to add a personal note. For complicated personal reasons, as of 2006, I became the single parent of my five daughters (then aged between 6 and 12). At this time the FSS showed its true colours to me and, at short notice, allowed me to reduce my hours to help juggle the role of MCII and Dad. Without wanting to sound boastful, I have been able to perform well in these two highly demanding roles. I fear that, if I were to try and gain employment with a private forensic supplier, they might view my domestic lack of flexibility as a reason not to take me on. It angers me that the decision to close the FSS will have the hardest affect on my daughters who, without wanting to go into details, have suffered enough in their time. It is this sort of family tragedy that lies behind these decisions and will be repeated across the country.

Mr Peter Grant
FSS Major and Critical Incident Investigator (MCII)

11 February 2011