FOI release

FOI-0023: redacted response

Published 23 October 2026

Office of the Forensic Science Regulator
c/o Home Office Science
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham B2 4BJ

FSRFOI@forensicscienceregulator.gov.uk

10 May 2024

Via email – [redacted]

Dear [redacted],

FSR-FOI- 0023

Thank you for your e-mail of 12 April 2024, in which you ask for the following information:

a. The method in which a complaint can be raised to the FSR with relevant details and points of contact.

b. The number of complaints received by the FSR in the past 12 months (back from today or last reporting period) and the 12 months preceding that.

c. The number of incidents reported for each of the 2 12-month periods, that is 1 report may be 1 or multiple incidents, totals only required.

d. The number of complaints acted upon and investigated/undergoing investigation in each 12-month period.

Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I am able to disclose the following information.

a) A complaint to the Regulator can be made by either the following:

Email the Regulator at: FSREnquiries@forensicscienceregulator.gov.uk

Or write to the Regulator at:

Forensic Science Regulator
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BJ

The complaint must include the following information:

• Full name and contact method (postal address or e-mail address).
• A clear description of the complaint and what you would like the Regulator to do to address the issue.

The Regulator treats all complaints in confidence and is committed to protecting privacy and the security of personal data. Please read the Regulators personal information charter to find out more.

b) The Regulator’s definition of a complaint is the following: “As any expression of dissatisfaction about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by the Regulator, or those acting on behalf of the Regulator”. The number of complaints received by the Regulator in the past 12 months (back from today or last reporting period) and the 12 months preceding that is 0.

c) Part of the role of the Regulator is to investigate non-conformances which have been referred to the Regulator. Non-conformances (also known as referrals) refers to any aspect of a forensic unit’s work that does not meet the requirements set out in the forensic unit’s policies, procedures, commissioning party requirements, or the Code. Any other enquiries received by the Regulator that are not reporting non-conformances, are classified as general enquiries. Examples of general enquiries include questions about the Code or guidance documents, and general enquiries from the public about forensic science. The number of incidents reported for each of the 2 12-month periods is 0. The Regulator does not use or record “incidents”.

d) The number of complaints acted upon and investigated/undergoing investigation in each 12-month period is 0. Note: as per the above, the number of complaints received by the Regulator is 0.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting a complaint within two months to FSRFOI@forensicscienceregulator.gov.uk, quoting reference FSR-FOI-0023. If you ask for an internal review, it would be helpful if you could say why you are dissatisfied with the response.

As part of any internal review the Department’s handling of your information request would be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response. If you were to remain dissatisfied after an internal review, you would have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the FOIA.

A link to the Forensic Science Regulators Information Rights Privacy Notice can be found in the following link. This explains how we process your personal information: Personal information charter - Forensic Science Regulator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Yours sincerely

Office of the Forensic Science Regulator