§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time taken to obtain forensic reports in cases involving scheduled offences.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory makes no administrative distinctions between cases involving scheduled and non-scheduled offences. The average time taken to report in cases of all kinds completed during the last three months was 74 days.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what budgetary controls there are on the obtaining of forensic reports in cases involving scheduled offences.
§ Dr. MawhinneyLike other public agencies the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory is expected to work within an annual budget. All casework submitted to the laboratory, therefore, competes for available resources. Casework relating to the most serious crimes is, however, invariably given the highest priority.