Forensic Science Regulator

{{Short description|UK regulator of forensic science activities}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Forensic Science Regulator

| image = Forensic Science Regulator logo.png

| abbreviation = FSR

| formation = {{Start date and age|2008}}

| type = Non-departmental public body

}}

The Forensic Science Regulator is the regulator of forensic science activities within England and Wales' legal system.{{Cite journal |last=Samuelsformerly Reader in Law in the University of Southampton |first=Alec |date=2022-06-01 |title=Forensic Science Regulator: The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021* |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00258172211068227 |journal=Medico-Legal Journal |language=EN |volume=90 |issue=2 |pages=86–89 |doi=10.1177/00258172211068227 |issn=0025-8172 |pmc=9149528 |pmid=35296185}} The regulator is advised by the Forensic Science Advisory Council. The post dates from 2008.{{Cite journal |last=Nsiah Amoako |first=Emmanuel |last2=McCartney |first2=Carole |date=2021 |title=The UK forensic science regulator: Fit for purpose? |url=https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wfs2.1415 |journal=WIREs Forensic Science |language=en |volume=3 |issue=6 |pages=e1415 |doi=10.1002/wfs2.1415 |issn=2573-9468}}

The office of Forensic Science Regulator was originally created without any statutory powers.{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |date=2020-02-25 |title=Forensic science failures putting justice at risk, says regulator |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/25/forensic-science-failures-putting-justice-at-risk-says-regulator |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414235435/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/25/forensic-science-failures-putting-justice-at-risk-says-regulator |archive-date=2025-04-14 |access-date=2025-05-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

The first Forensic Science Regulator was Andrew Rennison.{{Cite web |title=Forensic Science regulator receives honorary doctorate from BU {{!}} News & Events |url=https://news.bournemouth.ac.uk/2012/11/08/forensic-science-regulator-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-bu/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319132832/https://news.bournemouth.ac.uk/2012/11/08/forensic-science-regulator-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-bu/ |archive-date=2025-03-19 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=news.bournemouth.ac.uk |language=en-GB}} Dr Gillian Tully was appointed to hold the post for three years from November 2014.{{Cite news |last=Geddes |first=Linda |date=2021-02-16 |title=Forensic science rationing is putting justice at risk, says outgoing regulator |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/16/forensic-science-funding-cuts-putting-justice-at-risk-says-outgoing-regulator |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329064934/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/16/forensic-science-funding-cuts-putting-justice-at-risk-says-outgoing-regulator |archive-date=2024-03-29 |access-date=2025-05-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In November 2017 Dr Tully was re-appointed for a further three years until November 2020. In her 2018 annual report, Tully urged the UK Government to put the role of the Forensic Science Regulator on a statutory footing.

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

| long_title = An Act to make provision for the appointment of the Forensic Science Regulator; to make provision about the Regulator and about the regulation of forensic science; and for connected purposes.

| citation = 2021 c. 14

| introduced_commons = Darren Jones

| introduced_lords = Lord Kennedy of Southwark

| royal_assent = 29 April 2021

| status = Current

| collapsed = y

}}

The {{Visible anchor|Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021}} made the role of the Forensic Science Regulator a statutory body and requires the Regulator to prepare and publish a code of practice and allows the regulator to shut down labs that do not meet quality standards.{{Cite news |last=Devlin |first=Hannah |date=2023-09-03 |title=Andrew Malkinson case shows importance of securely stored scientific evidence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/03/andrew-malkinson-case-shows-importance-of-securely-stored-forensic-evidence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511080617/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/03/andrew-malkinson-case-shows-importance-of-securely-stored-forensic-evidence |archive-date=2024-05-11 |access-date=2025-05-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=Jennifer |last2=Wright |first2=Susie |date=2025-11-05 |title=Forensic Science Regulator Bill 2019-21 |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8815/ |journal=House of Commons Library |language=en-GB}} The Act also introduces new statutory powers for the Regulator to investigate and issues compliance notices where they have concerns about how a forensic science activity is being conducted. The statutory code of practice was published in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Reyes |first=Eduardo |date=2022-11-04 |title=New powers for forensic science regulator by end of March |url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/new-powers-for-forensic-science-regulator-by-end-of-march/5114194.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104110926/https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/new-powers-for-forensic-science-regulator-by-end-of-march/5114194.article |archive-date=2022-11-04 |access-date=2025-05-12 |work=Law Society Gazette}}

The regulator and its regulations has been criticised for being overly burdensome and for too much time being spent on compliance.{{Cite news |last=Robson |first=Steve |date=2024-05-05 |title=Police shelving theft and burglary investigations due to new forensics rules |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/police-shelving-theft-burglary-investigations-new-forensics-rules-3032919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510004859/https://inews.co.uk/news/police-shelving-theft-burglary-investigations-new-forensics-rules-3032919 |archive-date=2024-05-10 |access-date=2025-05-11 |work=The i Paper}}