CLOSURE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE REGISTRATION OF FORENSIC PRACTITIONERS

That this House recognises that the closure or the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) on 31 March 2009, mid-way through the Government's consultation into the future regulation of forensic practitioners, has left a hiatus in regulation; further recognises the important role that forensic scientists play in providing expert witness in the criminal and civil courts; is concerned that the 3,000 practitioners, covering 29 specialties of forensic science, who are registered with the CRFP are no longer regulated; and believes that as the Government looks to design a new regulatory model that a robust and thorough debate around the future of the sector is required.