Force reviews forensic services after scientist is suspended for mishandling examinations
An investigation has been launched following allegations relating to the incompletion of several examinations within the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS’s) forensic laboratory.
An internal review by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) found more than 30 criminal investigations may have been tampered with.
A forensic scientist working at the facility was suspended in March was also suspended.
All victims in the affected cases have been contacted and the case has been referred to the Forensic Science Regulator.
Twenty-one of the 33 criminal investigations relate to cases of rape and other sexual assaults, while the remaining 12 are violence, burglary, and drugs offences whereby items were submitted for forensic examination between 2012 and 2017.
It is alleged that a forensic scientist working within the MPS’s forensic services did not complete requisite examinations and in some cases wrongly informed investigators about the progress of them.
A Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques officer has contacted victims of the affected investigations into rape and sexual assaults.
A MPS spokesperson said: “We are urgently conducting a review to understand whether there is any risk to the criminal justice process and to take remedial action where necessary.
“In order to be reassured that this issue is not more far-reaching, we have completed a full audit of scientists’ workloads within the department and are satisfied that there are no other instances of undeclared casework.”
In 2011, the MPS hired 180 scientists to expand its forensic laboratory following the closure of the Government owned Forensic Science Service.
