§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Caroline Flint)I have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service's (FSS) annual report and accounts for 2003—04.
Performance against agency targets 2003–04:
The FSS met 20 of its 22 targets and put in a robust financial performance. Of the two targets not achieved, one was missed narrowly and the other became unachievable through circumstances outside of the agency's control. Details are contained in the annual report.The Forensic Science Service agency targets for 2004—05 are as follows:
Finance:
Target 1
Three year rolling average of 15 per cent. minimum return on capital employed.Target 2
75 per cent. reduction in charges versus the average earnings index.Target 3
Increase investment in development by a minimum of 12 per cent. of turnover.Target 4
Secure £1.25 million of external funding for research and development.Non-Finance:
Target 1
43WSEmbed the internal FSS end to end process.Target 2
Implement the new definitions of timeliness (NDoT) based on investigative and evidential contributions of forensic science for 100 per cent. of forces.Target 3
Make available to 100 per cent. of forces the process of end to end case ownership.Target 4
Sign up 100 per cent. of customers (police and CPS) at force level to service agreements (timelines and charging) in context of national protocol.Target 5
Allocation of 100 per cent. of cases to a dedicated FSS case officer.Target 6
Roll out training packages for police and CPS to support new ways of working.Target 7
Design and develop a link between NDNAD and NAFIS (carried forward from last year).Target 8
Maintain a capacity to deliver fast track processing of DNA samples within 48 hours.Target 9
Deliver 15 per cent. of DNA samples (subject to demand) within 48 hours (fast track processing).Target 10
Average time of seven days to analyse and inform customers of DNA crime scene stain results (normal track).Target 11
95 per cent. of DNA crime scene stain results (see above) will have a turn round time of 12 days.Target 12
Average time of five days to analyse and inform customers of DNA suspect sample results on database (normal track cases).Target 13
95 per cent of DNA suspect sample results (see above) will have a turn round time of eight days.Target 14
Increase forensic effectiveness by fully implementing the index and benchmark system.Target 15
95 per cent of jobs (excluding road traffic accidents and alcohols) will have a turn round time of 35 days.Target 16
Maintain ISO Accreditation.Target 17
Maintain Investors in People accreditation.Target 18
Maintain diversity programme.