HC Deb 08 September 2003 vol 410 cc7-8WS

The Forensic Science Service Agency targets for 2003/2004

Finance: Target: a minimum of 15 per cent. return on capital employed (three year rolling average) Target: a real reduction in charges by limiting price increases to 75 per cent. of the Average Earnings Index. Target: an increase in investment in development to 12 per cent. of turnover. Target: generate £1 million external funding for research and development.

Non-Finance: Target: establish an internal FSS end to end case ownership process. Target: to have processes in place with 25 per cent. of police forces within six months and 60 per cent. by year end that agree new definitions of timeliness based on investigative and evidential contributions of forensic science. Target: set up a pilot with customer to get agreement to devise a new process of end to end case ownership. Target: sign up 60 per cent. of customers (Police and CPS) at force level to service agreements (timeliness and charging) in context of National Protocol. Target: to have a process in place for 25 per cent. in six months and 60 per cent. by year end of cases to have a dedicated FSS case officer. Target: develop training packages to support New Ways of Working by the year end. Target: to engage training organisations to roll out training for Police and CPS. Target: to design and develop a link between the National DNA Database and The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). Target: develop capability and capacity to deliver fast track processing of DNA samples within 48 hours. Target: average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA crime scene stain results (normal track) of 14 days. Target: 95 per cent. of DNA crime scene stain results to have a turnround time of 20 days Target: average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA suspect sample results on The National DNA Database (normal track cases) of six days. Target: 95 per cent. of DNA suspect sample results to have a turnround time of ten days Target: increase forensic effectiveness by developing an index and benchmark with Police Standards Unit (PSU). Target: turnround time for 95 per cent. of jobs to be 42 days by year end Target: maintain ISO accreditation Target: maintain Investors in People accreditation Target: establish and implement a Diversity programme Target: maintain Investors in People accreditation. Target: introduce new diversity programme.