Police forensic laboratories are failing to operate up to Home Office standards, leading to fears that criminals could be being let off the hook.

A report published today says that laboratories run by some police forces in England and Wales are not operating under a proper quality assurance system and are not accredited to laid-down standards.

“This position needs to be remedied,” the report commissioned by the Home Office says.

The study was commissioned into low-template DNA testing after the judge in the Omagh bombing trial questioned its scientific validity. Low-template testing can build a DNA profile from only a few cells, which can be deposited by someone simply holding a glass or plate.

Today’s report says that the science of low-template DNA testing is sound and secure although it makes 21 recommendations for improving its use.

However, the report raises questions about the standards in some police forensic science laboratories.

“All forensic science providers have expressed to us their concern over the quality of police forensic science laboratories established by the larger police forces as a financial saving and used for screening items to establish what to submit to the established forensic science providers,” the report says.

“Such laboratories have implications for contamination issues relating to all types of trace evidence, including DNA.”

It also cautioned about problems of interpreting evidence because only a selection from specific exhibits are submitted to forensic science providers.

The study also says that some forces are not allocating sufficient resources to ensure a high-quality service.

A statement from the Association of Chief Police Officers defended the record on in-house police laboratories and said there was no evidence to support claims about the quality of their facilities.

The statement said: “The Police Service has undertaken forensic analysis in its own laboratories for years, and fully understands the need to take precautions against contamination. For example, disposable clothing, gloves, and masks are worn around crime scenes.”

One police source said that those expressing concern about police work might have had a commercial interest as the private forensic services want to get a slice of police work.

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