Capacity

Internal capacity increased through 2023/24 due to planned recruitment, training, and development activities. This resulted in a shift from an average of 109 drug driving cases being reported internally per month in 2023 to an average of 185 in 2024. 

The average internal output was tracking higher until significant technical issues arose in Q2. The presence of technical issues highlights the challenge in relation to internal resilience and, the need for Criminal Toxicology scientists to maintain a focus on development work (to realise efficiencies and continually improve output levels).

Combining average internal capacity with the average outsource capacity (75 cases per month) provides a 260 output per month.

That said, outsource partners have required to provide additional support over 2024, resulting in an average output of 124 (from 75).  The requirement to increase the monthly case output was twofold, to meet existing levels of demand and, to reduce case backlogs (across Q1 and Q2 in 2024/25).  Average combined output in 2024 was 309 cases per month.

For illustrative purposes the graph below is more generic in nature with internal capacity set at 200 and outsourcing capacity at 70, highlighting the total monthly forecast output as 270.  The demand figures from Oct – Dec are ‘actuals’ with Jan – Mar estimated following engagement with PSoS. 

Challenges are also evident as demand exceeds expected capacity in a service delivery context.  In addition, fiscal challenges are identified and highlight planned outsourcing in February and March as being unbudgeted (due to consistently high demand across 2024/25).  At the time of writing, the overspend for 2024/25 is estimated at £45k.

In relation to managing capacity and demand Forensic Services have, as per the MOU, moved to a more fixed process in managing late submissions. On a sliding [time] scale samples will be categorised in a way that will result in limited or restricted analysis being undertaken or in extreme cases, samples will be rejected.

With regard to open cases, the graph below highlights the open caseload (by month of incident) and the positive direction of travel relative to the six-month Statutory Time Limit.  It should be noted there are a small number of cases (7 in total) out with a six-month timeline. These cases are unique in respect of the reasons for delayed reporting, for example the case within the 10-12 month timeline was not submitted to Forensic Services until December 2024 however, remains live under the 12-month STL.