'Blow to justice' as Midland forensics HQ is axed

Dec 15 2010 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

SCIENTIFIC sleuths have accused the Government of delivering a “body blow to justice” over its plans to wind up the Midland-based Forensic Science Service.

Union leaders said the announcement came as a “bolt out of the blue” for the 1,000 forensic scientists they represented now left pondering their futures.

Ministers said action was needed now as the Solihull-based service, which employs a total of 1,600 people, was losing £2 million a month and was likely to run out of money by January.

Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said the aim was to sell off the operation so there would be “no state interest in a forensics provider” by March 2012.

However, union Prospect said the decision would “make a mockery of the criminal justice system”.

“Its actions will destroy a world-class body that is the envy of every police force in the world, in the name of saving a few million pounds,” said Deputy General Secretary Mike Clancy.