Operational Policing

About the Forensic Science Regulator

Find out why the office of the Forensic Science Regulator was established and how the Regulator will uphold quality standards in the field of forensic science.

In the past, all forensic science services were delivered by the Forensic Science Service (FSS). However, there are now a number of service providers competing in the open market. To ensure the integrity of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is maintained, it has become necessary to make sure this market provides the right services, at the right price and is delivered to an appropriate standard. 

The Regulator post

In response to a recommendation from the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee, and following a period of consultation, the government decided to create a new post - the Forensic Science Regulator.

The Regulator will operate independently to ensure that quality standards apply across all forensic science services to the CJS. By establishing and monitoring quality standards, the Regulator will make an important contribution to the continuing development of forensic science services to the CJS.

Purpose of the Forensic Science Regulator

The Regulator is appointed by the Home Secretary to provide independent advice on quality standards to the government and the CJS.

This involves, but is not limited to:

• identifying the requirement for new and improved quality standards
• leading on the development of new standards where necessary
• providing advice and guidance so that service providers will be able to demonstrate compliance with common standards. For example, in procurement and in the courts
• ensuring that satisfactory arrangements exist to provide assurance and monitoring of the standards.

Read the Forensic Science Regulation project initiation document

Although appointed by the Home Secretary and sponsored by the Home Office, the Regulator is a public appointee and operates independently of the Home Office, on behalf of the CJS as a whole. This independence allows the Regulator to make unbiased recommendations and decisions.

The Regulator is supported by the Forensic Science Advisory Council (FSAC).