Forensic Science Service

Written evidence submitted by Dr S M Willis (FSS 68)

I am the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Republic of Ireland.

For three years up to 2009, I was chair of the Association of Forensic Science Providers(AFSP). The views below are personal and do not reflect necessarily reflect those of the AFSP. The mission and vision of AFSP is reproduced below for information.

1. What will be the impact of the closure of the FSS on forensic science and on the future development of forensic science in the UK?

If the FSS is considered as one of a number of equally competent companies supplying forensic services, the closure means no more than there is less choice in the market place. If on the other hand the wider role of the FSS is considered, eg the central source of best practice, center of research and development and central source of advice on forensic science ,then the closure is catastrophic. The real situation is somewhere between these two extremes. The FSS was a world leader and spearheaded the use of DNA in forensic science. Together with the Metropolitan Police Laboratory with which it merged some years ago, it provided outputs of research, training and standards in forensic science making UK a world leader as well as supporting various countries.

The introduction of the market place changed that.

I suggest that the FSS continue with some of the above roles and even if that is not accepted, there is clear evidence that a significant proportion of the roles in the broad area of forensic science across England and Wales as well as further afield are carried out by personnel trained by the FSS.

The closure of the FSS will mean" there will be no mother ship". It may be some time before the impact of this kicks in.

The emerging model at present seems to be that the police take as much as possible in house and the market operates as a commodity market. This means there is no added value gained from the scientific expertise of practicing forensic scientists who will be driven to merely operate the clinical model of providing a testing service.

2. What will be the implications of the closure on the quality and impartiality of forensic evidence used in the criminal justice system?

Initially the impact will be low or non existent. In the scenario described above, the role of the forensic scientist as an independent witness will be replaced by an analytical service supporting the prosecution hypothesis and no clear mechanism to identify why particular samples were tested or the significance of the results

It is a mistake to confine the value of forensic science as a service to the police

3. W hat is the financial position of the Forensic Science Service?

4 What is the state of, and prospects for, the forensics market in the UK? Specifically whether the private sector can carry out the work currently done by the FSS. The volume and nature of the forensic work carried out by police forces will also be examined in this light.

Various functions previously carried out by the FSS need to be considered. These include extensive training, supporting the development of forensic science in Europe by participation in ENFSI, a more robust mechanism of establishing standards (the Regulator’s system is very much built on the FSS norms), research and development and some mechanism for sharing intellectual property, providing a wide range of service not always commercially viable. . The market approach is likely to eventually promote individual companies providing aspects of forensic science that are commercially attractive. The FSS appeared to be committed to provide a full service.

5 What are the alternatives to winding down the Forensic Science Service?

Recognise that forensic science , as much as policing and other parts of the Criminal Justice system are public service and build the cost into the court system. Continue the market provision as a service to the police and reorganize the FSS as a court service to arbitrate in contentious cases and provide independent gatekeeping role to the judiciary.

6. So far as they are known, are the arrangements for closing down the FSS, making staff redundant and selling its assets adequate?

AFSP

MISSION STATEMENT

To represent the common interests of the providers of independent forensic science within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with regard to the maintenance and development of quality and best practice in forensic science and expert opinion in support of the justice system, from scene to court.

VISION STATEMENT

To be the unified, objective, informed voice of practical forensic science provision in order to best serve the interests of the criminal justice system

Dr S M Willis

Director

Forensic Science Laboratory

Dublin

14 February 2011