Forensic Science Regulator

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Forensic Science Regulator
AbbreviationFSR
Formation2008;17 years ago (2008)
Type Non-departmental public body

The Forensic Science Regulator is the regulator of forensic science activities within England and Wales' legal system. [1] The regulator is advised by the Forensic Science Advisory Council. The post dates from 2008. [2]

Contents

The office of Forensic Science Regulator was originally created without any statutory powers. [3]

The first Forensic Science Regulator was Andrew Rennison. [4] Dr Gillian Tully was appointed to hold the post for three years from November 2014. [5] In November 2017 Dr Tully was re-appointed for a further three years until November 2020. [5] In her 2018 annual report, Tully urged the UK Government to put the role of the Forensic Science Regulator on a statutory footing. [3]

Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021
Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (2022, variant 1).svg
Long title An Act to make provision for the appointment of the Forensic Science Regulator; to make provision about the Regulator and about the regulation of forensic science; and for connected purposes.
Citation 2021 c. 14
Introduced by Darren Jones (Commons)
Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lords)
Dates
Royal assent 29 April 2021
Status: Current legislation

The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 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. [6] [7] 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. [7] The statutory code of practice was published in 2023. [8]

The regulator and its regulations has been criticised for being overly burdensome and for too much time being spent on compliance. [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Samuelsformerly Reader in Law in the University of Southampton, Alec (1 June 2022). "Forensic Science Regulator: The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021*". Medico-Legal Journal. 90 (2): 86–89. doi:10.1177/00258172211068227. ISSN   0025-8172. PMC   9149528 . PMID   35296185.
  2. ↑ Nsiah Amoako, Emmanuel; McCartney, Carole (2021). "The UK forensic science regulator: Fit for purpose?". WIREs Forensic Science. 3 (6) e1415. doi:10.1002/wfs2.1415. ISSN   2573-9468.
  3. 1 2 Dodd, Vikram (25 February 2020). "Forensic science failures putting justice at risk, says regulator". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "Forensic Science regulator receives honorary doctorate from BU | News & Events". news.bournemouth.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 Geddes, Linda (16 February 2021). "Forensic science rationing is putting justice at risk, says outgoing regulator". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  6. ↑ Devlin, Hannah (3 September 2023). "Andrew Malkinson case shows importance of securely stored scientific evidence". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  7. 1 2 Brown, Jennifer; Wright, Susie (5 November 2025). "Forensic Science Regulator Bill 2019-21". House of Commons Library.
  8. ↑ Reyes, Eduardo (4 November 2022). "New powers for forensic science regulator by end of March". Law Society Gazette. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Robson, Steve (5 May 2024). "Police shelving theft and burglary investigations due to new forensics rules". The i Paper. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2025.


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