Science,People&Politics issn:1751598x online/print/pdf. Issue one, 2017.

Overseeing Quality: Forensic Science Regulator Report Released

In January the Forensic Science Regulator for England and Wales released her annual report.
Highlights are to be found in the feature - "Forensic Science Regulator calls for adherence
to standards and vigilance" - beginning on page 24 of this issue.

The final part of the feature continues below:

FORENSIC SCIENCE REGULATOR FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PAGES 24-25
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anthropology; work with the International Organisation for Standards (ISO) to develop quality
forensic science provision without "additional regulatory burden"

Resources are, of course, mentioned in various places within the report, but it is the need to
take standards seriously which most preoccupies the regulator. The report reflects someone
politely keeping up the pressure on police forces to comply, and someone aware that forensic
science of quality is essential to both victim and defendant within the Criminal Justice System.

Research priorities include:

Underpin the scientific basis of methods used for facial comparisons;

Studies on the transfer and persistence of trace evidence, and the significant factors affecting
the transfer;

The frequency of occurrence of patterns such as fingerprint characteristics or the
characteristics of a gait.

Acknowledging the opening in 2016 of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science,
Dr Tully writes that also,

"... the Regulator is keen to support high quality research proposals, by reiterating to research councils
the impact that such research can have".

The FSR's annual budget in 2015/2016 was £608,000.00, and in 2016/2017 that had dropped to
£547,170.00

In both reported financial years Dr Tully's unit comprised one person, herself, working 0.6
full-time equivalent hours, and three peoples with specialist scientific roles, each working the
equivalent of full time hours.

Dr Tully has made a submission to the Home Office for a modest staffing increase.
HG

Issue 1 (Jan-Mar), 2017............................................Science, People & Politics ISSN 1751-598X print and online