Forensic science laboratory backlogs
A parliamentary reply reveals that the backlog at forensic science laboratories has increased from 11,907 samples in September 2008 to 24,375 samples by August 2009. This constitutes a 105% increase, year-on-year. Chemistry sample backlogs are up 80.4%, the backlog in scientific analysis has increased by 526%, and whereas no ballistics backlog was recorded at this time last year, we now have a backlog of 2,846 ballistics samples. It now takes, on average, more than five months for a biology sample to be processed by our Forensic Science Laboratories. In the space of a year, we have seen a spiraling of sample backlogs, but absolutely no attention has been paid to the crisis within our FSLs: the shocking vacancy rates, terrible staff retention policies, and shortfall of forensic science laboratories. Forensic experts have raised numerous concerns over these issues over the past year, but again the police brass has been preoccupied with other more glamorous issues.
