§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to modify the structure, management and functions of the Tayside police force laboratory and the Strathclyde police force laboratory; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government have no plans to modify the structure or functions of these laboratories.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are employed in(a) the Tayside police force laboratory and (b) the Strathclyde police force laboratory; and what are their functional responsibilities in each.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are 22 staff currently employed in the police forensic science laboratory, Dundee. This laboratory serves, and is jointly funded by, the police authorities for Tayside, for Fife and for Central Scotland police forces. The Strathclyde police laboratory currently employs 47 staff.
Each laboratory employs a range of scientists for a variety of functions. These functions are mainly in the areas of forensic chemistry, forensic biology and physical examinations, but the laboratories also undertake document examinations, ballistic and fire investigations, and blood alcohol analyses.