Downgrading forensic lab 'will leave criminals roaming streets'

Labour's George Foulkes said reducing the range of tests which could be carried out by the lab at Howdenhall would hamper police in bringing criminals to justice.

A review of Scotland's forensic services published last month - and designed to save 3.5 million - set out four options, two of which involved retaining all four current laboratories, one of which would close Edinburgh and Aberdeen and the fourth which would mean keeping "satellite" labs in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, but concentrating work in Dundee and Gartcosh, near Glasgow.

Under the last option, Edinburgh would no longer be able to carry out DNA processing or fire debris analysis and 40 of the 55 jobs at the lab would go.

Lord Foulkes voiced his concerns after a meeting with Tom Nelson, director of forensic services at the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA), as the official consultation closed.

He said: "I'm worried the consultation is a bit of a sham and they have already made up their mind for option four.

"Tom Nelson assured us no decision had been made, but then spent 15 minutes arguing in favour of option four, which was a bit of a giveaway."

Lord Foulkes said he had also met staff at Howdenhall who had highlighted a case only last week where a man admitted raping a teenager as she walked along a footpath in Livingston in broad daylight.

He said: "In that case, the suspect was identified by very quick action by the DNA people in the forensic lab, which would have been much more difficult if they had had to send it through to Gartcosh and it had to wait in a queue behind Glasgow work."

Option four would mean Edinburgh could still provide urgent fingerprint or drug analysis, but most work would be transferred.

Lord Foulkes said "It appears the SPSA is more concerned about saving money and maximising the use of Gartcosh than retaining a high-quality forensic service. The forensics staff at Howdenhall have a pivotal role to play in putting criminals behind bars and keeping communities safe."

He said it was their dedication and expertise which had helped secure the conviction of Peter Tobin for the murder of Vicky Hamilton.

"There is no doubt in my mind that any reduction in service at Howdenhall will affect the police's ability to fight crime and lead to more criminals roaming the streets."

A spokesman for the SPSA insisted no decision had been made on the future of the labs but he said the SPSA had to face up to the likelihood of substantial reductions in funding.

He said: "There are four options on the table. It will be for the SPSA board to decide next month what recommendation to put to the Scottish Government, then for the Scottish Government to consider its position on that. We are not guiding or steering anyone."