Forensic science within major investigations Flashcards
Forensic science regulator
The Regulator ensures
that the provision of
forensic science services
across the Criminal
Justice System complies
with a high standard of
scientific quality.
The new Forensic Science
Regulator Act 2021 is
intended to provide the
Regulator with statutory
powers.
FSR Act 2021
The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 requires the Regulator to prepare and
publish a code of practice for forensic science activities in England and Wales.
The code sets quality standard
requirements for forensic science activities related to the investigation of crime and the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
Changes in UK forensics
ISO accreditation has to be reached and complied with and all exhibit collection, handling and analysis is quality assessed.
ISO 17025 – Laboratory
ISO 17020 – Crime Scene Units.
Forensic Capability Network (FCN)
The Forensic Capability Network enables the forensic work taking place locally in 43 police forces in England and Wales, which employ around 4,000 practitioners.
Funded and led by the policing community and act as an extension of the forensic teams in local police forces.
FCN provides fast access to national knowledge, advice and capabilities – whether that’s preparing for accreditation, accessing innovative research or procuring services through contracts and frameworks.
Collaborative police units
Many Police Forces are now linked in collaborative projects and Regional Forensic Science units are now common place
Forensic approach- Volume
Quicker to search scene
Less funding for analysis
Repeat Offenders
Trace not often submitted
GF111
Majority of work
Collection of Trace, Marks
Forensic approach- Major crime
Several staff allocated
Operation name
Large funding pot
Lab Specialists
MG21
Complex techniques used
Botany, Pathology, Ballistics (specialist resources and budget)
Forensic approach - Volume v major crime
Major crime often has several scenes so contamination and exhibit notation is very important.
Crime Scene Managers
Crime Scene Co-Ordinator
Laboratory Reporting Scientist
Collaboration of Police Investigation Teams
Major Incident Teams have trained Exhibit Officers that along with the SIO and CSC submit exhibits.
Forensic approach - Volume v major crime cont.
Recovery process for exhibits is the same
DNA swabbing
Fingermark Powdering
Footwear Recovery
Trace Packaging
It is the processing and extra liaison that is different.
A strategy will be used is major crime, the stages of the strategy (forensic) will be broken down to the SOPs and completed before moving onto the next.
The details in a major case can change rapidly, therefore scene requirements often change (adaptability and flexibility – key skills).
ISO accreditation is now being reviewed for major crime
Forensic approach - Organised crime
‘Wet’ Forensic methods can take a secondary seat, with intelligence information creating offence links and leads rather than DNA or Fingermarks
Analysis often found in Major cases is utilised when examining the exhibits, typically drug, ballistic or technological.
Liaison between various units and cross border/NCA teams.
The National Crime Agency
Founded by merging other units:
Serious Organised Crime Agency
Police Central e-Crime Unit
National Policing Improvement Agency
They cover the whole of the UK and have local bases throughout the country, working closely with the 12 Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCU) and the Serious Fraud Office
ROCU locations
City of London Police
Metropolitan Police
East Midlands / Leicester (EMSOU collaboration)
West Midlands (VIPER)
Eastern (ERSOU)
North East / Durham (NERSOU)
North West (TITAN)
South East (SEROCU)
South West (ZEPHYR)
Southern Wales (TARIAN)
Yorkshire & Humber (ODYSSEY)
Northern Ireland
Scotland
The NCA responsibilities
Has responsibilities for several investigation departments;
CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
Houses the National Cyber Crime Unit
National Policing Improvement Agency
National Missing Persons Bureau
UK Border Agency
Met Police Counter Terrorism Unit
Has powers under S10 Crime and Courts Act 2013
The NCA operational branches
Currently has 8 operational branches;
Border Policing Command
CEOP Command
Economic Crime Command
Organised Crime Command
Intelligence
Specialist Capabilities
Proceeds of Crime Centre – Civil Recovery Procedures
The NCA cont.
Main liaison for International Partnership
UK National Central Bureau for INTERPOL
UK EUROPOL National Unit
UK SIRENE Bureau
Schengen Information System
Fugitives Unit for European Arrest Warrants
