Cllr Elgood

A petition has been set up to prevent closure of the Forensic Science Service.
 
The Government recently announced it was to close the Forensic Science Service, which is a Government owned company that provides independent forensic work for the Police.
 
Brighton Lib Dem Councillor, Paul Elgood, said local residents had contacted him seeking support for a petition to oppose the closure.
 
Paul said:
"I am concerned that the closure appears to have been announced with out public debate or consultation. The closure of this world renowned service could have a big impact on the quality of forensic investigations and I think these issues need to be fully debated in public.
 
"The expectation is that the private sector will fill the gap left by the Forensic Science Service, however, there is a very real possibility that the focus on making a profit will mean that critical evidence could be missed or investigations not carried out because of the cost. That could do real harm investigations and justice in this country.
 
"Research carried out by the Forensic Science Service has resulted in the development of important new forensic techniques. It is unlikely that a private company would carry out this kind of, non-profitable, research, meaning the massive leaps forward in forensic investigations we have seen in recent years will be a thing of the past."
 
The petition to oppose the closure can be signed here