CLOSURE OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE

That this House is concerned about the implications for the criminal justice system of the closure of the Forensic Science Service; notes warnings from the Metropolitan Police and the Forensic Institute that the closure may lead to expert scientists and case files being unavailable for court hearings; further notes that the Forensic Science Service estimates that around 90 per cent. of the staff who have already been made redundant have left the forensic profession completely; and calls on the Government to recognise the value of the scientific expertise, research and development carried out by the Forensic Science Service and to rethink the closure in order to safeguard the informed and effective course of justice.