Forensic Science Service

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The Forensic Science Service (FSS) is a government-owned company in the United Kingdom which provides forensic science services to the police forces and government agencies of England and Wales.

The FSS maintains seven laboratories throughout the country, and provides scene-of-crime and forensic investigation staff to the 43 police services in England and Wales, as well as to the Crown Prosecution Service, HM Revenue and Customs, HM Coroners' Service, Ministry of Defence Police and British Transport Police.

The FSS® is the market leader in the supply of forensic science services to police forces in England and Wales, as well as being a source of training, consultancy and scientific support. However, in early 2007, five FSS staff were arrested on charges of industrial espionage for allegedly stealing information related to the working of the NDNA database with the aim of establishing a rival company. The FSS originally maintained the UK National DNA Database, it is now maintained independently from the FSS. The FSS has an unrivalled reputation for the integrity, impartiality and accuracy of its findings.

The FSS suffered damage to its reputation following the failure to recover blood stains from a shoe in the murder of Damilola Taylor while it's main rival LGC Forensics could. [1] Further damage occurred when the FSS failed to use the most up-to-date techniques for extracting DNA samples in cases between 2000 and 2005.[2] This led the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to advise all police forces in England and Wales to review cases where samples had failed to give a DNA profile.[2]

The FSS's innovative and sensitive DNA profiling technique called LCN (low copy number) was used in convicting Antoni Imiela (the M25 rapist) and Ronald Castree (for the murder of Lesley Molseed in 1975),[3] but was criticized during the 2007 trial of a suspect in the Omagh bombing. Following this, the use of LCN in the UK was suspended by the Crown Prosecution Service.


The review by the CPS was completed on the 14 January 2008, at which time the suspension was also lifted.[4] In its press release the CPS stated:

“ From this, the CPS has not seen anything to suggest that any current problems exist with LCN. Accordingly we conclude that LCN DNA analysis provided by the FSS should remain available as potentially admissible evidence. ”

[edit] References

  1. ^ Damilola Taylor: An independent review of forensic examination of evidence by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) | Home Office
  2. ^ a b BBC NEWS | UK | Police review criminal DNA cases
  3. ^ BBC NEWS | UK | DNA test halted after Omagh case
  4. ^ Review of the use of Low Copy Number DNA analysis in current cases: CPS statement

[edit] External links

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