Regulator’s statement on Lords’ Committee report on forensic science
Dr Gillian Tully’s reaction to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee: Forensic science and the criminal justice system: a blueprint for change.
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has published a report on forensic science.
The Forensic Science Regulator, Dr Gillian Tully, gave evidence to the Committee as part of its inquiry.
The report, Forensic science and the criminal justice system: a blueprint for change, made a number of recommendations, including reinforcing calls for the regulator to have statutory powers and that the government should work urgently to build capacity and resilience in digital forensics.
Forensic Science Regulator, Dr Gillian Tully, said:
I welcome the far-reaching and thoughtful report from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
This report makes clear that urgent action is required from the government and the police in England and Wales if we are to maintain high scientific standards.
I welcome the Committee adding to the repeated calls to grant this office statutory powers to uphold standards and ensure effective delivery of justice. While enforcement action would be a last resort, it is an important lever to enable the Forensic Science Regulator to have the impact it needs.