Report Summary
This report provides members of the Forensic Services Committee with an overview of the HMICS Assurance Review of Forensic Toxicology Provision – Improvement Plan.
Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Forensics Services Committee - 10 August 2023
Date : 10 August 2023
Location : online
Further Detail
On 13th July 2022, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) published the Terms of Reference for their Assurance Review with the aim to ‘assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the arrangements in relation to the processes which are in place for obtaining, analysing and reporting toxicology samples obtained for Section 4 and Section 5A Road Traffic Act 1988 cases’.
HMICS has concluded their detailed Assurance Review and published their report on their findings on 25th April 2023. HMICS made 25 recommendations for improvement, highlighting a number of key areas including strategy, planning, process, management, reporting, scrutiny and prevention in relation to drugs driving.
The HMICS report was presented to the Scottish Police Authority meeting on 21st June 2023 by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Partners were required to develop action plans associated with the recommendations across the range of areas identified.
In response to the publication of the HMICS report, Forensic Services developed an action plan to address the recommendations where Forensic Services were the agreed Action Lead.
Following detailed consideration, the Forensic Services Action Plan was submitted to HMICS on 21st July 2023. The action plan is included as an appendix.
Good progress is being made in terms of Forensic Services addressing the recommendations.
