Gary Holcroft.Head of Forensic Science at the Scottish Police Authority. His talk will be on ‘Forensic Science in Operation’. Chat @ 18.45 meet @ 19.00

Gary Holcroft.Head of Forensic Science at the Scottish Police Authority. His talk will be on ‘Forensic Science in Operation’. Chat @ 18.45 meet @ 19.00

Gary Holcroft, Head of Physical Sciences at the Forensic Services of the Scottish Police Authority, was the welcome speaker at the Club’s Thursday evening Zoom meeting.  Gary has worked in the forensic science sector for 34 years, initially in England. His personal specialism is in the physical sciences, involving the examination of evidential material such as footwear marks, paint, fibres and so on.  Following the privatisation of the Forensic Science Service in England in 2010/11, Gary moved to take up his current post.

Gary talked about the work of the 500 highly-trained and skilled scientists and staff employed by the Scottish Forensic Services who, operating from four main laboratory sites in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and at the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh, are responsible for delivering world-leading forensic services to the Police Authority. The Service provides an integrated crime scene to court model that ensures robust support to the delivery of justice.  In this model, the investigators move from the gathering of evidence on the crime scene, through a complex forensic analysis of this to, ultimately, providing evidence in court. The very latest technology is employed, including the most up-to-date analysis of DNA using automated robotic platforms, and specialised techniques in the identification of firearms. Steps to digitise fingerprint examinations are currently underway.  As Gary explained, the early assessment of hard evidence determined from such techniques can often elicit an admission of guilt thereby avoiding complex and costly court proceedings. Moreover, as well as identifying criminals, the outcome of the forensic processes is also important in enabling the elimination of suspects. 

While working closely together at all stages of the investigative process is at the heart of the process, what Gary described as a ‘sterile corridor’ is in place between Forensic Services and Police Scotland. This separation ensures the integrity, impartiality and independence of the Forensic Service. These key values, together with ensuring a high quality of service, are crucial to the delivery of an effective forensic service.  Gary was pleased to report that the majority of the work of Forensic Services has been accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for more than 20 years, providing third party quality assurance of the technical and managerial standards in place.  This, he said, is a standard they are proud to have achieved.

Thanking Gary, President David Chisholm said that members had clearly been very interested in his detailed and comprehensive description of the work of the Forensic Service, and been reassured by evidence of its high standards.