Ministers commit to state-of-the-art forensic lab

A new toxicology laboratory for Scotland is to be created to provide state-of-the-art testing capabilities for police and the prosecution service.

Funding of £6m from the Scottish Government will enable the transition of post-mortem toxicology forensic services from the University of Glasgow to the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services. Specialist staff will transfer over to the new purpose-built centre, which will be able to test for a wide range of substances, including drugs and alcohol, swhen it opens next year.

As part of the transfer there will be a service level agreement between Forensic Services and Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, setting out key performance indicators including how long the services will take for each type of case priority, the number of cases to be examined, the type of drugs to be examined, etc.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC commented: “This change secures the future of a service that is vital for the investigation of unexplained deaths. I would like to thank the University of Glasgow for their hard work over the years, and I am delighted that their expert staff will be retained in the transition.”

Justice Secretary Keith Brown added: “I welcome this investment to provide a new state-of-the-art facility which will allow essential post mortem toxicology services to continue, ensuring that the COPFS continues to meet its obligations to investigate all sudden, unexplained deaths.

“This investment also enables significant operational efficiencies to be delivered with the new service benefitting from specialist scientific instruments and supplies in a purpose built laboratory.”