Police forensic services improvements not delivered, watchdog says

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland have failed to deliver improvements to forensic services, a watchdog has concluded.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) found there has been no strategy in place for the delivery of forensic services in Scotland for more than four years.

A HMICS report on how the service is managed and delivered by the SPA makes 23 recommendations for improvement.

Key findings published in advance of the full report state that while the quality of forensic work undertaken in Scotland is good, the SPA "has not provided strategic leadership'' and "has not put in place a clearly-established strategy, investment plan and joint planning cycle''.

"The SPA and Police Scotland have failed to deliver on a number of improvement initiatives due to a lack of resource and cohesive approach to continuous improvement,'' it states.

HMICS also identified "weaknesses'' in the strategic engagement with Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

It found forensic services were "consistently working above capacity'' with levels of demand coupled with the geographical spread of staff and functional structures presenting "major challenges'' for leadership, management and staff morale.

The report highlights "weak communication and engagement between management, staff and unions'', and ongoing challenging financial circumstances.

The operating budget for forensic services was #27.7 million in 2016-17, just 2.6% of the overall SPA policing budget.

HMICS also concludes the failure to deliver the Police Scotland i6 computer system "presents major challenges in terms of productions handling, demand analysis, management reporting and process efficiency for forensic services''.

Gill Imery, assistant inspector of constabulary at HMICS, who led the review, said: "Forensic services play a key role in supporting the justice system in Scotland in the investigation, detection and prosecution of crime.

"The service has been subject to continual change over the past ten years and has done well to innovate and meet increasing demands from those who use its services.

"We found forensic services staff at all levels are dedicated and committed to delivering a high-quality service.

"However, it was concerning that our inspection found there has been a lack of progress across improvement areas which were previously highlighted to both the SPA and Police Scotland.

"Serious and major crime investigations receive an excellent level of forensic service, although those delivered to local policing at an investigative stage are often poorer.

"It is clear that demand for forensic services is ever-increasing and additional investment and better demand management will be needed to build a sustainable forensic service for the future.''

The report follows sustained criticism of outgoing SPA chair Andrew Flanagan and current chief executive John Foley over openness and transparency at the watchdog.

A separate HMICS report published last week found ''dysfunction'' at the top of the SPA and ''shortcomings'' in Mr Foley's capacity to provide expert advice and support to the board.

SPA board member Nicola Marchant said: "This HMICS report highlights that Scotland benefits from a forensic service which has increased its output, is delivering to a high quality and has benefited from significant investment in technology and modern facilities.

"Forensic science in Scotland is at the forefront of UK and international standards, employing the latest scientific technologies, and this is something we would not want anyone to lose sight of.''

She added: "We are now developing a strategy for forensic services which recognises and is underpinned by an innovative and leading science.

"The forensics strategy will effectively support the direction outlined for policing over the next 10-years.

"The structure of forensic services has been the subject of ongoing consideration and the direction set out by HMICS is a welcome input to the board's consideration going forward.

"However, clearly there are implications and a number of steps required to achieve the recommended approach and this will take time to progress.

"The board has also acknowledged previously that oversight of forensic services can be improved and we have taken steps to strengthen governance and assurance of the function by establishing a dedicated forensic committee.''

Police Scotland Detective Chief Superintendent Sean Scott said: "Police Scotland welcomes the independent scrutiny from the HMICS report into forensic services and we look forward to working with the SPA and other partners in reviewing and taking these recommendations forward.''

Labour justice spokeswoman Claire Baker said: "Once again we have another damning report that finds the SPA lacking leadership.

"There has to be accountability for the continued failings of leadership within the SPA and the Scottish Government.

"John Foley and Michael Matheson both have questions to answer over this report."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We welcome the HMICS report on forensics and are pleased that it highlights Scotland's excellent forensic response to serious and major crime, supported by state-of-the-art facilities now in place to support this key service.

"Where recommendations have been made, we expect SPA to take them forward alongside Police Scotland to strengthen processes, governance and engagement with stakeholders.

"It is right that SPA has begun work on a forensics strategy as part of Policing 2026 implementation.

"The Cabinet Secretary recently announced a review to consider how the executive of SPA can best support the board and the chair to take informed, transparent decisions, and we expect this HMICS report to inform that work as it proceeds.'