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How can effective oversight of forensic science be improved?

22 January 2019

The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee questions Dr Gillian Tully, the Forensic Science Regulator, on the forensic science market and her ability to enforce standards.

Purpose of session

In written evidence to the Committee, the Forensic Science Regulator stated that there is a ‘lack of strategic leadership and clearly understood policy and strategy for forensic science in England and Wales'. The Committee has also heard evidence that there are significant concerns about the sustainability of the current forensic science market in the UK.

Over the course of the session, the Committee will ask Dr Tully what effective oversight of forensic science should look like and whether the criminal justice system is being equipped with the highest quality of forensic science.

Witness

Tuesday 22 January in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster

At 3.25pm

  • Dr Gillian Tully, Forensic Science Regulator

Possible questions

  • How would statutory powers help with dealing with low compliance to ISO standards and the Regulator codes?
  • Given that the human factor is so important in the interpretation of forensic evidence how do you assess individual competency given that every case is different?
  • Who should be responsible and accountable for forensic science service provision?
  • Is enough being done to prepare for the increasing role that digital forensics will have in the future?

Further information