Access to Lab – Project Update

The new submissions process for standard forensic instructions (SFI) from our Crown Office partners has now been in place since January 2023.

A key project benefit was the delivery of faster turn round times for evidential reporting by improved quality of information provided at submission.

This would lead to:
• Better informed requests for examination, maximising forensic opportunities and focusing demand on value adding activity:
• Better informed decisions about the extent of forensic examinations required, maximising our capacity to meet demand.
• During post implementation review issues have been identified which have impacted on early realisation of project benefits for forensic services.
• A key partner benefit was timesaving on policing hours due to the removal of duplication of examination requests from police colleagues in cases where there is an existing SFI
• Further work to develop the new submissions process and maximise the delivery of faster turn round times for evidential requests has also been identified
• This work will be taken forward as part of the post implementation follow up
• Project benefits will be continue to be monitored and tracked.