Updates

Break even budget forecast

• We are working closely with colleagues in SPA Corporate as Forensic Services plan the budget for the next financial year 2025/26. At the end of Quarter 2, we are forecasting a break-even revenue budget for the year ending 2024/25 and a £0.1m capital underspend.
  
  
• The number of staff in Forensic Services is currently 15.4 FTE lower than agreed in the budget. We are currently recruiting and seek to bring the staffing levels up back up to the budget establishment.

Long-term sustainable plan for drug-driving

Forensic Services are currently developing the Initial Business Case (IBC) for a long-term sustainable model for criminal toxicology, including drug driving. This business case seeks to identify what future investment would be required for criminal toxicology to meet Police Scotland’s forecast demand for the service.

A working group has been established to progress the Initial Business Case with representation from several teams across Forensic Services, the Scottish Police Authority corporate team and Police Scotland, including colleagues from Digital Division, Procurement, and Finance. Implementation of a long-term sustainable model for criminal toxicology is anticipated to offer several benefits which ultimately support Scotland’s ‘zero tolerance’ approach to drug driving, including:

• Improved turnaround time
• Ability to meet fluctuations in demand
• Improved level of staff wellbeing and job satisfaction
• Supports public safety
• Improved trust and confidence

Four options have been identified and examined within the initial business case. Work to develop the costs associated with each of these options is currently under way. Once this is complete the Initial Business Case will be progressed through Forensic Services and Scottish Police Authority governance in the next few months.

Review of reduction in scene examination requests

• Search & Recovery Scene Examination incident response within 24 hours continues to improve and is now 87% in Quarter 2 - against a target of 90% - proactive management in the tasking unit and deployment has led to improved service - although demand has been lower than usual.
• The continued reduction in requests to examine crime scenes is to be explored with Police Scotland in a short life working group, which will report into the Forensic Performance Improvement Group.

Endorsement of approach from Health & Safety Executive

A concern was raised directly with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) about the use of Fast Blue B which is a chemical used within our laboratories and at crime scenes by Forensic Services staff. We provided the HSE with extensive documentation - as well as full details of our Health & Safety processes and governance.

The HSE responded to Forensic Services saying: “Thank you for the comprehensive and detailed responses and evidence you have provided to HSE regarding the concern we received. We have reviewed all of the information and evidence you have kindly provided and concluded that they are fully satisfactory. I can now confirm that HSE has closed down this concern from our end. Your co-operation in this matter has been very much appreciated.”

Forensic Services welcome the endorsement by the HSE of the approach we have taken over these concerns - which allows us to move ahead with confidence.

Investment in staff training

As part of planned improvements in Health & Safety, Forensic Services will be retraining staff as well as implementing actions from the recent review of our structures and governance - working closely with Police Scotland’s Health & Safety team.

We are currently engaged in procurement for an external provider to supply the bespoke training required for Forensic Services staff, as Police Scotland do not have the capacity to support these training needs. It is estimated this will cost around £50,000 for this financial year. Staff continue to be encouraged to bring any Health and Safety concerns to the attention of their line manager - so they can be fully investigated and appropriate action taken.

BDO audit highlights strengths and areas for improvement

A BDO audit into Forensic Services requested by the SPA has highlighted several strengths as well as areas for improvement in the management and reporting of performance. It said: “The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) clearly define service delivery expectations and responsibilities, with effective monitoring against KPIs. Performance reporting is robust, with detailed weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports reviewed by various forums and performance groups.

“Governance and oversight are reinforced through the Performance Board and additional groups, ensuring regular communication and accountability. Processes are in place to minimise data manipulation, with streamlined methods for data consolidation and analysis. However, we identified gaps in the reporting of some performance information, which may hinder performance assessment.

“There is also a need for better data validation and scrutiny, as well as a formal demand forecasting process to manage operational issues. Lastly, challenges in performance reporting accuracy and effectiveness were noted, stemming from limited staff capacity and ownership over reports.”

 Creating a culture where everyone can be their best

 Forensic Services wants to ensure that we have an environment where everyone can be at their best, valuing our differences and ensuring that how we work includes everyone. We have been working with INvolve, who champion diversity and inclusion in business, who ran a staff survey and focus groups with Forensic Services over the summer.

INvolve are currently collating their final report, into which they are going to add the Forensic Services-specific data from the Your Voice Matters survey carried out across SPA and Police Scotland during the same period. Once these results are brought together, INvolve will work with Forensic Services to develop ways we can create the culture and environment where everyone can be their best.  An action plan will be developed through a short life working group which will include representatives from staff association and trade union colleagues.

Ten years at the Scottish Crime Campus

The key agencies based at the Scottish Crime Campus including the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Forensic Services, the COPFS and the National Crime Agency, highlighted the successful work co-ordinated at Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire, over the past decade in an event in August to mark 10 years since the establishment of the facility.

Forensic Services have a significant presence at the SCC where around half our staff are based. The purpose-built laboratories have helped enhance the achievements of forensic scientists in their work to keep our communities safe and protected.

Strategic Workforce Plan

Forensic Services are in the process of appointing professional services to support the development of a Strategic Workforce Plan.  Once complete, the strategic workforce plan will identify and anticipate workforce needs and challenges, allowing action to be taken to ensure the organisation remains resilient not only today, but into the future. To inform the Strategic Workforce Plan, an examination of our current organisational resource profile will be undertaken to identify any gaps or opportunities for capacity enhancement. This will take account of both existing and forecast demand.

It is anticipated that the successful supplier will start work early in 2025 and that the project will take approximately six months. A copy of the draft Strategic Workforce Plan will be shared with Forensic Services Committee members for consideration when available.

Excellence awards

The second Forensic Services Excellence Awards were held in Stirling on the 20 September where 71 members of staff were recognised for their outstanding work. A total of 55 nominations for staff and teams from across Forensic Services were received, an increase on the previous year. All the winners and teams received a trophy and a certificate and there were also certificates for those who were highly commended.

Forensic Services are grateful for the support of the SPA Forensic Services Committee, Police Scotland, and the COPFS for judging the entries alongside the Forensic Services Director and Chief Operating Officer. We would also like to thank Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow for being our guest speaker as well as the support of the Chair and Chief Executive of SPA at the event.

Forensic Services Annual Review 23/24

The Forensic Services Annual Review 23/24 – which is attached as an appendix to this paper – was published and distributed at excellence awards. The review reflects some of the key word delivered over the financial year and includes:

• The Director’s summary of the year
• Significant changes delivered, including new roles such as Forensic Operations Leads and Capability Team Managers
• Creating the Scenes Tasking Unit and new ways of working
• The Cabinet Secretary opening our new £5.9m laboratory
• The use of Virtual Reality in fire investigation training
• Marking a decade of success by the FS Cold Case Team
• Looking forward to further planned benefits to our staff, partners, and the communities we serve