Archive for August 2011

Forensic Science shutdown already costing more

The closure of the government-owned Forensic Science Service is already looking like a poor decision, not only for the quality of justice people will receive but also for the budgets it was intended to save. The FSS was earmarked for closure in December 2010, to be wound down until March 2012 (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11989225). The Home Office cited its £2m annual loss as unsustainable and promised that private provision would expand to fill the gap (which is sizeable – the FSS was providing some 60% of such work in England and Wales).