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Experts warn over Forensic Science Service move | Experts warn over Forensic Science Service move |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The UK's justice system will take a "backward step" if the government closes its Forensic Science Service, experts have said. | The UK's justice system will take a "backward step" if the government closes its Forensic Science Service, experts have said. |
The warning comes in a letter to the Times which was signed by 33 leading forensic scientists. | The warning comes in a letter to the Times which was signed by 33 leading forensic scientists. |
They say the move would see the UK lose its position as the world leader in crime-scene investigations. | They say the move would see the UK lose its position as the world leader in crime-scene investigations. |
The Home Office has decided to break up the service, which makes an operating loss of £2m per month. | The Home Office has decided to break up the service, which makes an operating loss of £2m per month. |
'Disbelief and dismay' | 'Disbelief and dismay' |
The letter has been signed by international scientists including the pioneer of DNA fingerprinting, Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys. | The letter has been signed by international scientists including the pioneer of DNA fingerprinting, Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys. |
The scientists warn that the decision has has been met with "disbelief and dismay" around the world. | The scientists warn that the decision has has been met with "disbelief and dismay" around the world. |
International Society for Forensic Genetics president, Professor Niels Morling, who co-ordinated the letter, said there was global support to save the Forensic Science Service (FSS). | International Society for Forensic Genetics president, Professor Niels Morling, who co-ordinated the letter, said there was global support to save the Forensic Science Service (FSS). |
He said: "So many of us have benefited from the research, development and education offered by the FSS - a worldwide network of scientists is grateful to the FSS and to British society. | He said: "So many of us have benefited from the research, development and education offered by the FSS - a worldwide network of scientists is grateful to the FSS and to British society. |
"Our plea to the British government is: 'Please consider what you will do next - ask where [you] will be in five or 10 years' time if this goes ahead?' | "Our plea to the British government is: 'Please consider what you will do next - ask where [you] will be in five or 10 years' time if this goes ahead?' |
"Where will the research be? Who will do the development work? Who will look after the quality of forensic science in a competitive market? Closing the FSS is a backward step." | "Where will the research be? Who will do the development work? Who will look after the quality of forensic science in a competitive market? Closing the FSS is a backward step." |
'Hasty and reckless' | 'Hasty and reckless' |
The FSS has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including those of Soham murderer Ian Huntley and Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright. | The FSS has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including those of Soham murderer Ian Huntley and Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright. |
Shadow home secretary Ed Balls said: "In what's becoming a consistent pattern of this Conservative-led government, ministers made this hasty and reckless decision without any consultation and little regard for the consequences. | Shadow home secretary Ed Balls said: "In what's becoming a consistent pattern of this Conservative-led government, ministers made this hasty and reckless decision without any consultation and little regard for the consequences. |
"As this eminent group of scientists say, getting rid of the Forensic Science Service risks serious damage to the kind of pioneering research and innovation which has helped solve serious crimes." | "As this eminent group of scientists say, getting rid of the Forensic Science Service risks serious damage to the kind of pioneering research and innovation which has helped solve serious crimes." |
The Home Office says the FSS is expected to be wound up by March 2012, with the loss of about 1,600 jobs. | The Home Office says the FSS is expected to be wound up by March 2012, with the loss of about 1,600 jobs. |
Crime reduction minister James Brokenshire has said the Birmingham-based service could run out of money in January. | Crime reduction minister James Brokenshire has said the Birmingham-based service could run out of money in January. |
The FSS has two offices in Birmingham and sites in Chepstow, Chorley, London, Huntingdon and Wetherby. |