rethinking plans

Forensic science laboratory

Published:

THE decision to look again at controversial plans to close a forensic science laboratory in Aberdeen is a sensible one by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The laboratory serves both the Grampian and Northern forces, so there are major implications to be considered.

Apart from the understandable alarm locally at such a closure, there was also justifiable anger over the indecent haste with which the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Services Authority were rushing to move the Aberdeen operation into a new centre in Dundee.

Although there was supposed to be a consultation period, it appeared to everyone as being a done deal. This is often the way with “consultation processes” – they are anything but.

Those who are actually involved in catching criminals speak of the importance of police officers being able to deal directly with forensics experts on their own patch. The implication is that crime detection will suffer if this is closed off.

Closing the Aberdeen laboratory might look neat and tidy for the civil servants, but Mr MacAskill must acknowledge the potential political damage. Weakening the effectiveness of the police is a decision not to be taken lightly.