forensic science - up for sale
WORKERS, OCTOBER 2003 ISSUE
The trade Unions Prospect and PCS are resisting Home Office proposals to privatise the forensic science service. The 1300 scientists and staff are to be 'put on the market for sale', not because the service is inefficient or financially unsound, but because the government is obsessed with meeting EU private finance initiatives.
To raise £30 million to modernise facilities, up to 75% of the service is to be privatised. Forensic work, which provides invaluable assistance to those engaged in the criminal justice system - be they prosecution or defence - will now have its priorities determined by profit.
Britain will be the only country in the world to have a privately owned forensic science service.