Unintentional firearms discharge was preventable

The accidental discharge of a firearm while being examined in a police station was preventable, a report has found.

The firearm, which is believed to have been homemade, had been seized by Police Scotland during a search of a house in Edinburgh on April 13. It was unintentionally discharged during an examination at Gayfield Sqaure police station by two ballistics experts the next day.

The Police Investigation and Review Commissioner’s ( PIRC) findings, published on June 25, concluded that the discharge was preventable and negligent. He said officers who arranged for the transportation and examination of the firearm did not comply with standard operating procedures.

Police officers should not have physically examined the firearm at the scene or moved it due to its unfamiliar design and uncertainty regarding its stability.

Speaking about the investigation findings, the PIRC, Professor John McNeill said: “Police Scotland’s practice and procedures in respect of firearms safety, while stringent in respect of conventional known firearms, do not provide officers with enough specific guidance on the course of action they should take in the event that a non-conventional or unfamiliar firearm cannot be made safe.”

The PIRC also recommended that Police Scotland consider, when undertaking a search for a firearm, that an authorised firearms officer (AFO) be present throughout the duration of the search in order to make safe or assess any firearms found.

He notes that the precise nature and volatility of all firearms must be determined before arrangements are made for transportation to an appropriate location for full forensic examination.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority review their practice and procedures for examining, making safe and transporting non-conventional or unfamiliar firearms.

Prof McNeill also concluded that they share information and intelligence regarding any non-conventional or unfamiliar firearm taken into their possession and that they should seek advice from, or engage the services of, the explosives ordnance department when faced with unfamiliar non-conventional firearms.

Responding to the report, Chief Superintendent Elaine Ferguson said: “Police Scotland working together with the Scottish Police Authority will review the contents and recommendations within this report and where appropriate amend processes and procedures.”

A Scottish Police Authority spokesperson said: “SPA Forensic Services places a great emphasis on the safety of both our staff and the public in fulfilling its duties. On this occasion we accept there have been learning points and we accept the findings of this PIRC review. “Following this highly unusual incident involving an extremely volatile home-made firearm, we conducted our own review and have already changed processes and procedures to prevent something like this happening again. Many of the points raised in the report have been addressed.”