Streamlined Forensics Reporting

Question 0

What are the advantages of using SFRs?

Answer 0

Money and time saving
Speed
Understandable to police, cps and layman
Available for interviews and pre-trial hearings
Encourage early guilty pleas
Avoid unnecessary testing

Question 1

When did it start and when did it become nationwide?

Answer 1

Started in London 2008 and was only really used for DNA. It became nationwide by 2013.

Question 2

What is an SFR?

Answer 2

Streamlined forensic report, a short abbreviated report detailing any findings that the prosecutor may rely upon

Question 3

What are the aims of using SFR?

Answer 3

Reduce costs and saves time by:
Avoids needs for full forensic evidence to be produced
Encourage early guilty pleas, reducing trial proceed meant costs
Ensure testing is only carried out if and when required
Tackles delay and inefficiency through robust case management

Question 4

What are the risks of using a SFR?

Answer 4

Not statements, risk of incorrect interpretation as no interpretation is given

Simplicity, leads to strong statements “this matches”

Doesn’t require expertise to write it, can be done by junior reporting officer

Fragmentation: - sending things off to different services. Only police get to see the bigger picture.

Question 5

What is detailed in SFR1

Answer 5

Just the key information of testing, so just the results of the tests.

May include database hits or comparison matches

Question 6

When is a sfr2 issued?

Answer 6

If the defence doesn’t agree with the interpretation of the prosecution regarding SFR 1 or if the defence have not responded to the prosecution

Question 7

What does an SFR 2 contain?

Answer 7

Full evaluative statement, used to expand on information in SFR 1

Question 8

When is SFR used in crown and magistrates? And what happens if it is contested?

Answer 8

Crown: used if evidence isn’t contested

Magistrates: defence can agree or disagree with the report

If contested/clarifications needed the. An sfr2 is issued.