FOUR YEARS ON FORENSICS OPERATION STILL HAS WEAKNESSES
Four years on, forensics operation still has weaknesses, claims report
BY IAN GRAHAM
WEAKNESSES in the operations of Forensic Science Northern Ireland remain four years after first being identified, according to a new inspection report published yesterday.
At the same time, an action plan drawn up to address criticisms of FSNI in 2007 will take another four years to fully implement, revealed Criminal Justice Northern Ireland (CJNI).
Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan said a report in 2005, and a follow-up in 2007, had identified serious shortcomings in the operations at FSNI.
Following a new inspection this year Mr McGuigan said: "We did find that a number of weaknesses identified in previous inspections/reviews continue to be a problem for FSNI.
"The inability of the agency to demonstrate value for money remains a concern to the police and needs to be addressed.
"A number of management challenges such as inflexible working practices/processes and resistance to change were identified, but while they were understandable, they cannot be allowed to impede progress."
The report also contained an assessment of the implementation of the FSNI plan in response to criticisms in the judgment at the Omagh bomb trial which resulted in the acquittal of Sean Hoey.
BY IAN GRAHAM
WEAKNESSES in the operations of Forensic Science Northern Ireland remain four years after first being identified, according to a new inspection report published yesterday.
At the same time, an action plan drawn up to address criticisms of FSNI in 2007 will take another four years to fully implement, revealed Criminal Justice Northern Ireland (CJNI).
Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan said a report in 2005, and a follow-up in 2007, had identified serious shortcomings in the operations at FSNI.
Following a new inspection this year Mr McGuigan said: "We did find that a number of weaknesses identified in previous inspections/reviews continue to be a problem for FSNI.
"The inability of the agency to demonstrate value for money remains a concern to the police and needs to be addressed.
"A number of management challenges such as inflexible working practices/processes and resistance to change were identified, but while they were understandable, they cannot be allowed to impede progress."
The report also contained an assessment of the implementation of the FSNI plan in response to criticisms in the judgment at the Omagh bomb trial which resulted in the acquittal of Sean Hoey.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1160
Published Date: 09-Jul-09
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