Forensic Services in Edinburgh

That the Parliament acknowledges the publication of the Scottish Police Service Authority’s (SPSA) Forensic Service Modernisation Options Paper; notes that the paper details four options, one of which includes a downgrading of the Howdenhall Road Forensic Science Laboratory in Edinburgh and one of which includes its closure; considers the Edinburgh laboratory to provide an excellent service to the local community and is concerned that its closure or downgrading would have a significant negative impact on the quality of forensics services provided across the Lothian and Borders Police region; regrets that the consultation period for the SPSA options paper has fallen during the main holiday season and the Scottish Parliament recess resulting in limited available time to discuss issues arising from it with all of Howdenhall Road Laboratory’s staff present and reduced opportunity for its scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, and calls on the SPSA to reconsider any plans to either downgrade or close Howdenhall Road Forensic Science Laboratory.