Consultation outcome

Forensic science: draft statutory code of practice

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England and Wales

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Code of practice consultation response report

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Detail of outcome

A summary of the comments received and the main themes raised by respondents to the consultation on the draft code of practice.

New statutory code of practice for forensic science activities.


Original consultation

Summary

This consultation seeks views on a draft code of practice (‘the code’) to be issued under the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The draft code sets quality standard requirements for forensic science activities related to the investigation of crime and the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

The draft code applies to England and Wales, but the Regulator welcomes views from stakeholders from across the UK. The Regulator also welcomes views from forensic science units outside of England and Wales but to whom the code will apply in so far as they carry on activities within England and Wales.

Representations are welcome from:

  • forensic units from the 43 territorial police forces
  • commercial forensic science units
  • professional bodies
  • government departments
  • interested groups
  • the wider public

Following the consultation period, responses will be analysed, and the draft code will be revised as necessary. The code will then be sent to the Secretary of State for the Home Department for approval. Following this, the code will then be laid before Parliament for approval.

A response to this consultation exercise will be published on GOV.UK.

Documents

Code of practice consultation draft

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021: draft statutory code of practice consultation information and response guidance

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 8 August 2022
Last updated 13 March 2023 + show all updates
  1. Link added in outcome section to new code of practice for forensic science activities.

  2. Consultation response report published.

  3. First published.

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