Report Summary
This is the approved Minute from the Meeting of the Scottish Police Authority held on 20 February 2025. The Minute was approved at the meeting on 27 March 2025.
Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Meeting of the Scottish Police Authority - 27 March 2025
Date : 27 March 2025
Location : Caledonian Suite, COSLA, Verity House, 19 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh, EH12 5BH
FORENSIC SERVICES DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Members considered the report which provided an update on key activities across Forensic Services. Fiona Douglas (FDouglas) highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.
In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members sought further comment on the timescales for the Long-Term Sustainable Model for Criminal Toxicology. FDouglas responded that the Full Business Case needs to be developed and will take approximately 12 months although the financial detail will be ready during that timeframe. In the short to medium term, Members were assured that work to improve processes continue, with an improvement plan looking at methods and processes as well as work with Police Scotland and the outsourcing partner to understand demand.
• Members congratulated Forensic Services on receiving accreditation continuously for 26 years.
• Members referred to the upcoming publication of findings from the Westminster Commission on Forensic Sciences and questioned what learning can be taken. FDouglas responded that learning can be shared between Scotland and England, but a key learning would be on workforce planning.
Members noted the report.