A presentation from the Careers After Biological Sciences seminar series at the University of Leicester (c) Dr Mark Pearse, 2007

1. The
Forensic
Science R
Service
A Career in Forensic Science
Dr. Mark Pearse
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

2. The
Forensic
Forensic Science ScienceR
Service
Forensic: adj. of or used in a court of law……
Protect against wrongful convictions
Quality assurance
Reproducibility
Expert status – as deemed by the court on the
day of the trial
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

3. The
Forensic
Our Forensic Expertise ScienceR
Service
Biology Ballistics
Body Fluids, DNA, Botany, Weapons, Ammunition,
Hairs Propellants, Explosives
Physical Science Engineering
Footwear, Tools, Fibres, Accident Reconstruction,
Glass, Paint, Fire Component Failure
Investigation, Analytical
Scene Examination
Techniques
Enhanced Mark Location
Drugs & Medicines and Recovery
Blood Alcohol, Illicit Drugs -
Computer & IT Hardware
Sale and Production,
Toxicology Consultancy
Documents Forensic Pathology
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

4. The
Forensic
Alignment to Customer Priorities ScienceR
Service
Volume Crime
Many crimes
Lower value – implication for resourcing - SOCO
Prolific offenders
Homicide & Major Crime
Managed on an individual basis
Resource available – SOCO & Specialist scientist
Drugs & Organised Crime
Counter Terrorism
Fraud
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

5. The
Forensic
3 types of Questions asked ScienceR
Service
Substantiation
Has a crime been committed ?
E.g. Firearms, drugs
Investigation
Can we help detect the crime ?
Intelligence to identify a suspect
Information to charge a suspect
Corroboration
Test the findings against the prosecution and the
defence’s version of the truth
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

6. The
Forensic
2 levels of interpretation ScienceR
Service
Source Level
Activity Level
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

7. The
Forensic
Recovering Footwear Marks ScienceR
Service
Lifted by;
gel lift
adhesive tape
ESLA
Cast
Enhanced with powders
enhanced with light sources -
UV/ laser
Photographed
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

8. The
Example of a Link Package FSS Format
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
This is the footwear pattern found at the above scenes. They are not necessarily a linked series or made by
the same offender. For further advice please contact the Footwear Unit on ext. 66681.
Y
Adidas 18
Commonality Score:
Fairly Common
Date of Beat DNA Fpts Additional
Crime ref CSIU ref Offence Location of offence
offence no. rec'd rec'd Footwear
349110ABC/03 L5/67195/03 BIAD 25/11/2003 16 Dovey Close, Anytown Z5X2 N N None
348878DEF/03 L5/67187/03 BIAD 24/11/2003 27 Thornton Rd, NextTown Z5X2 N N None
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

9. The
Forensic
Science
Population Total persons on Percentage of persons R
Service
Percentage of population DNA database on DNA database
on DNA database
Country
Austria 8,100,000 84,379 1.04 0.04
Belgium 10,400,000 4,583 —
Croatia 4,600,000 10,744 0.23
Czech Republic 10,300,000 9,098 0.09
Denmark 5,500,000 4,084 0.07
Estonia 1,500,000 7,414 0.49
Finland 5,200.000 32,805 0.63
France 59,300,000 119,612 0.20
Germany 82,400,000 366,294 0.44
Hungary 10,200,000 28,278 0.28
Netherlands 16,100,000 14,747 0.09
Norway 4,500,000 6,745 0.15
Portugal 10,300,000 — —
Slovenia 2,000,000 5,782 0.29
Spain 40,400,000 2,656 0.01
Sweden 9,000,000 6,115 0.07
Switzerland 7,360,000 69,019 0.94
United Kingdom 59,800,000 3,130,429 5.23
USA 298,400,000 2,941,206 0.99
Canada 32,270,500 75,138 0.23
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

10. The
Intelligence information from DNA Forensic
Science
Profiling R
Service
In a typical month DNA intelligence matches will link
suspects to:
15 murders
45 rapes
2,500 motor vehicle, property and drugs crimes
Cold cases !
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

11. The
Forensic
Source vs Activity ScienceR
Service
Assualts
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

12. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

13. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

14. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Reconstruction
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

15. The
Forensic
Controls vs Background testing ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

16. The
Forensic
Science R
Service
In the near future……..
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

17. The
Before After Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Cap
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

18. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

19. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

20. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

21. The
Forensic
ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

22. The
Forensic
FSS Laboratories ScienceR
Service
Aligned to Police regions
HQ in Birmingham
Research
Support functions
Specialised Firearms Units
Core techniques at each site F
Wetherby
S
S
F
Chorley S
S
Specialist Units eg Document F
NFU
S
S
examination
F
Birmingham S
S
F
Huntingdon S
S
F
Chepstow
S
S
F
London S
S
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

23. The
Forensic
Corporate Stuff ScienceR
Service
Vision
“Real time scientific solutions, supporting safer communities.”
Values
•Objectivity: The FSS provides impartial services to the Criminal Justice
System and treats its colleagues equally and fairly.
•Responsiveness: the organisation listens and responds to its stakeholders
and customers. It recognises and rewards achievement and high
quality performance.
•Reliability: It provides accurate results and reliable advice.
•Innovation: It encourages and values advancement through the development
of new and novel techniques& the application of leading edge science.
•Collaboration: It develops long-term partnerships with its customers and
suppliers. It supports its customers’ and colleagues’ needs, and is
tolerant.
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

24. The
Forensic
Corporate & Local Structure ScienceR
Service
Main Board Sites
CEO & Chairman GM and Regional AM
Main Board Members Service Delivery Managers
(3)
Non Executive directors
Team Leaders (10)
Executive Committee
Consultant Forensic Scientist
Human Resource (4)
IT Senior Reporting Officers
Commercial (15)
Service Delivery (Casework Reporting Officers (60)
Science) Assistants (120)
Quality Service Delivery Co-
Research & Development ordinators (15)
Site Support (10)
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

25. The
Forensic
There are 5 job families ScienceR
Service
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

26. The
Forensic
Grades within Job Families ScienceR
Service
Typical roles
GRADE
Entry Level e.g. school leaver, no or little training required for role
8
Lab Attendant; Stores Assistant; Technical Trainee, Archivist
7
Assistant; DNA Analyst; Accounts; Junior Application Support;
6
Project Officer
RO; Research Specialist; Project Portfolio Manager Technical
5
RO; Senior Researcher; Senior Application Support, Accountant,
4
Training Manager
Senior RO; Programme Manager; Scientific Manager / Team
3
Leader
Specialist Advisor; Research Consultant, Senior Manager
2
Senior RO
Forensic Consultant
1
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.

27. The
Forensic
Science R
Service
www. Forensic.gov.uk
0121 329 5200
Forensic Science Limited Ltd.
The Forensic Science Service® is a trading name of Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd. is a UK Government owned company.
© Forensic Science Service Ltd. 2006. All Rights Reserved.