The Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) is being urged to introduce a new IT system that will allow it to save money and keep the Aberdeen forensic laboratory open.
Campaigners have been fighting for two years to save the Nelson Street facilities.
But uproar over the lack of consultation by the SPSA over its proposals to shut the lab, and the implications for crime fighting in the north and north-east, spurred Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to order a rethink.
Originally, the SPSA put forward just one proposal to close Aberdeen in favour of a new facility in Dundee.
Earlier this month, it published a new consultation document on the future of the forensic services across Scotland.
The SPSA has put forward four options, including proposals to close or either slim down the Aberdeen facility or to keep the current model with four laboratories across Scotland.
Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said he preferred “option two”, which is to keep all four sites in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow open and invest in a new “case management IT” system with a potential to realise £2million in annual efficiencies by 2015.
He announced his preference after meeting laboratory staff in Aberdeen yesterday.
“Personally I am in favour of option two, which I believe would give the best results for staff, police forces and the residents of Aberdeen,” he said.
“Our first priority must be the services received by Scotland’s police forces and for this I believe we have to focus on the retention of all four sites.
“I am also pleased with the new management system that is being considered which I believe will allow for improvements in the services without reducing the number of sites.”
He added: “I hope that the SPSA will continue to take on board advice of their external stakeholders, who have obviously made them refocus their efforts to service delivery, rather than just reducing costs.”