New forensics centre for Thames Valley Police

The centre is situated on Howes Lane in Bicester, and has been under construction for the last two years.

It's set to mark a transformation in the force's work with forensics, with state of the art features on hand.

There are set to be specialist laboratories and dedicated training areas.

We're hearing it will improve investigations and the outcomes for victims of crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said:

“The programme is the result of a review of Thames Valley Police’s forensics services as a whole where we’ve identified the need to modernise facilities and increase capacity.

“In a world of rapidly advancing technology, ensuring the police stay on the cutting edge of forensics is crucial to keeping the public safe.

“Whether crimes such as burglaries, sexual offences or digital crimes the police need to get ahead of the criminals.

It'll help improve the speed and quality of investigations by frontline officers across Thames Valley to help deliver justice for victims and ultimately help to cut crime.”

Part of the Forensic Improvement Programme includes:

Investment in new front-line digital forensic tools and systems to give investigating officers better and faster access to digital evidence.

Adoption of new technologies to speed up the examination of evidence and management of cases, to reduce the impact on victims and witnesses.

Improving CSI Hubs, to enhance the force’s crime scene investigation capacity and capability.

Additional resources to support forensic accreditation, assuring the legitimacy of police evidence.

Recruitment of additional forensic staff across the Forensic Investigation Unit to provide a better service at the point of need.

Kay Hannam, Head of Forensic Services at Thames Valley Police, said:

“Forensic science can be the key to an investigation, in getting a case to court and delivering a timely outcome for the victim.

“This critical investment will support forensic services across the board from adopting new technologies, developing our people and ensuring legitimacy into the criminal justice system."

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