Forensic Science Regulator – latest news
The position of Forensic Science Regulator was established in 2007 and will shortly be put on a statutory basis through commencement of the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021. The regulation of forensic science is critical to ensuring that accurate and reliable forensic science evidence is used in the investigation of crime and the administration of justice.
The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 puts a duty on the Regulator to prepare and publish a Code of Practice about the carrying on of forensic science activities in England and Wales. Sections 5 and 6 of the Act will give the Regulator statutory powers to investigate and issue compliance notices to persons the Regulator believes are carrying on a forensic science activity in a way that creates a substantial risk of adversely affecting any investigation or impeding or prejudicing the course of justice.
The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 also puts a duty on the Regulator to consult with persons who are, or are likely to be, carrying on activities to which the Code of Practice applies. To ensure that all such persons and organisations have an opportunity to comment on the draft of the statutory Code of Practice, the Regulator is compiling a list of forensic science providers to facilitate communications relating to the new statutory powers outlined above.
To receive such future communications, the Regulator is inviting organisations to provide a name and contact details of an appropriate individual(s) through the following sign up form:
https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/webform.asp?id=260&id2=A75ACE
If you are unable to sign up to the communications list, please email FSREnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk to be added.
The Regulator has also asked organisations to indicate which indicate which FSAs they currently undertake through completing the survey at the following link by 23.59pm on 08/06/2022:
https://www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/ForensicScienceRegulatorFSA
Any comments or explanations relating to the answers are welcomed. Further information about the contents of each FSA definition can be found in the Version 2.0 draft of the Code, which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forensic-science-regulator-draft-statutory-code-v2-for-comment. As these are working drafts and may be subject to change, responses will be taken as an indication of the FSAs undertaken for the purposes of consultation and further contact once the statutory Code is approved by Parliament will be made to confirm that your organisation is covered by the provisions of the Act.
Please contact FSRenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk with any questions.