Forensic Services Committee

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for 28 October 2024. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed at Forensic Services Committee – 6th August 2024

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Forensic Services Directors Report
• Forensic Services performance, Year End and Q1
• Forensic Services Financial Monitoring
• Drug Driving
• HMICS Assurance Review of Forensic Toxicology Provision – Improvement Plan and Timeline for Delivery
• Forensic Services Change Programme
• Digital Forensics – Next Steps and timeline for progression
• Committee Priorities and Outcomes
• Operational Risk

KEY ISSUES RAISED
Forensic Services Directors Report
The Director flagged a recent briefing shared with members on increasing use and supply of Nitazenes across Scotland. Members were advised that National Crime Agency and NPCC are currently looking into Nitazenes prevalence across the UK, with Forensic Services and Police Scotland linked to this work. While the numbers in Scotland are low at present, committee expressed their desire to see further intelligence on this. Members commended recent SMT participation in Lifelines Scotland Training, an NHS-led national project which supports the wellbeing of staff working across all emergency services, and were encouraged to hear more on how wider staff groups can access this as part of a wider approach to training and wellbeing support. Members were assured that Forensic Services have been assisting Police Scotland in achieving their ISO accreditation for Digital Forensics.
Forensic Services performance, Year End and Q1
Members thanked staff across Forensic Services for improved performance over the past 12 months across all areas of service. Members were advised on the challenges faced around drugs capacity due to resourcing pressures and it was highlighted that there is work required in this area to progress improvement and output in this area. I have asked for a briefing note on Mark Enhancement to allow members to understand the data and improvements that have been made. Members were assured around the timeliness in relation to scene attendance, particularly in relation to violent and sexual crime.

Drug Driving
Members considered the update provided and queried the immediate and longer-term plan for outsourcing, seeking detail insight on analysis of capacity and demand over time. The Director updated on work underway to develop a business case for long term sustainable toxicology provision, which reflects Police Scotland development plans in this area as well as demand forecasting and considers the need for outsourcing provision to enhance in house capacity.
In relation to contractual timescales, members were advised that the outsourcing provider moved to an 80% compliance rate in June 2024, and work will take place over the coming weeks to assess return to full compliance as committed by end of July 2024. There is ongoing engagement and monitoring with the external supplier to ensure systems and processes are in and remain in place.

Financial Monitoring Report Q1
Members noted concerns around the low percentage of capital spent in Q1 and the imbalance of phasing of spend, seeking clarity on what was being done to mitigate risk that it would not be spent. Members were assured that Forensic Services are working closely with colleagues in procurement and there is a good level of confidence that the capital projects will deliver, however, there is no intention to bid for any additional capital spend due to the limited capacity and other changes going on within forensic services. With substantial projects coming down the line, there will be a need for additional capital at a much later date.

HMICS Assurance Review of Forensic Toxicology Provision – Improvement Plan and Timeline for Delivery
HMICS attended the recent committee and advised that there had been positive meetings taking place in relation to progress against recommendations. Members sought assurance that there were no risks associated with revised target dates and were advised that regular meetings with HMICS and constructive dialogue with other stakeholders on any changes made.

Forensic Services Change Programme Update
Members were provided with an update on progress against the Forensic Services Change Programme Plan and were provided with assurances in relation to resource and delays in relation to the Data Governance element.

Digital Forensics – Next Steps and timeline for progression
Members were provided with an update on Police Scotland’s progress towards ISO 17025 accreditation along with a revised timeline. Members were assured that there were no risks associated with court dates and not having the ISO accreditation. Members were advised that although there are delays, this is the right and only way achieve this based on requirements and technical skills. Members await a further update in 6 months’ time.

Committee Priorities and Outcomes
The committee had first sight of the committee priorities and outcomes, which have since been discussed at various meetings since the committee took place.

Operational Risk
Members were provided with the opportunity to review FS Operational Risks.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Members to be provided with a briefing note in relation to Mark Enhancement.
• Future performance reports are by exception only when updating slides in relation to case volume data.
• Future Drug Driving Reports to provide more data and graphics to support Internal performance for Section 4 to give members a grasp on turnaround times and how the service is performing.