The Forensic Science Regulator is the regulator of
forensic science
Forensic science combines principles of law and science to investigate criminal activity. Through crime scene investigations and laboratory analysis, forensic scientists are able to link suspects to evidence. An example is determining the time and ...
activities within
England and Wales
England and Wales () is one of the Law of the United Kingdom#Legal jurisdictions, three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. Th ...
' legal system. The regulator is advised by the Forensic Science Advisory Council. The post dates from 2008.
The office of Forensic Science Regulator was originally created without any
statutory powers.
The first Forensic Science Regulator was Andrew Rennison. Dr Gillian Tully was appointed to hold the post for three years from November 2014.
In November 2017 Dr Tully was re-appointed for a further three years until November 2020.
In her 2018 annual report, Tully urged the UK Government to put the role of the Forensic Science Regulator on a statutory footing.
The made the role of the Forensic Science Regulator a statutory body and requires the Regulator to prepare and publish a code of practice and allows the regulator to shut down labs that do not meet quality standards.
The Act also introduces new statutory powers for the Regulator to investigate and issues compliance notices where they have concerns about how a forensic science activity is being conducted.
The statutory code of practice was published in 2023.
The regulator and its regulations has been criticised for being overly burdensome and for too much time being spent on compliance.
See also
*
Forensic Science Service
References
External links
"Forensic Science Regulator"
2008 establishments in the United Kingdom
Regulators of the United Kingdom
{{UK-gov-stub