Response

To provide you with the information requested would prove too costly within the context of the fee regulations. The current cost threshold is £600. We estimate that it would cost more than this amount to locate, retrieve and provide the information sought.

To explain, SPA Forensic Services was established in 2013. This was after the case in question and cold case review. We would need to search legacy systems and physical case records (which may be off site) to establish:

• If records are held for this case from the legacy forensic Aberdeen lab and legacy Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO).

• If records are held, what forensic analysis did Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) instruct to the Aberdeen forensic laboratory or SCRO.

• Depending on forensic analysis instruction, if the legacy Aberdeen laboratory system holds the information needed to answer your questions. This is due to the age and functionality of the system as recording standards at the time were limited compared to modern standards.

The time required to do this, and for a scientific specialist to review information to assess if we can answer your questions, is considered to exceed the cost limit.

The Authority has assessed that the £600 cost limit within the Act equates to 40 hours of work and so your request would exceed the cost threshold.

If forensic analysis was instructed, scientific reports would have been provided to Northern Constabulary, COPFS and the Court. Therefore, Police Scotland, COPFS and the Scottish Courts may hold information. Requests can be submitted to Police Scotland at foi@scotland.police.uk , COPFS at FOI@copfs.gov.uk , and the Scottish Courts at foi@scotcourts.gov.uk

Other than that, Police Scotland and COPFS may hold information on which forensic provider was instructed to undertake forensic analysis. This may assist you in making a more specific request.