Custody suite failings

Cambridgeshire Police has received a critical report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons after DNA samples were found stored in a fridge near half-eaten takeaway food.
Though forensic samples were found to be improperly stored, no cases have been compromised.
The overall standards of the force’s custody suite were described as “very weak”, cells were unsafe and officers were inadequately trained. The force said improvements have been made.
The report said: “Fridges in most suites were full of forensic samples that had not been dealt with and there was widespread evidence of systemic failings in the handling, storing and destruction of forensic and DNA samples.”
The report claimed staff were not properly trained and appeared uncaring and unprofessional.
The report follows criticism of West Yorkshire Police’s custody suite, where DNA samples were stored in a freezer with ice cream.