ABSTRACT
The turbulence of the last 2 years has left many in the forensic science community feeling unsure and even worried about the future prospects of forensic science and forensic scientists in England and Wales. This is mirrored to a much lesser extent in Scotland and Northern Ireland; across the United Kingdom, forensic science is feeling the weight of change driven largely by financial pressures. However, whatever changes do occur, forensic science will continue to sit at the heart of criminal investigations by the police and other law enforcement bodies. The government sees it as ‘… vital for the smooth running of the criminal justice system, for fighting crime and combating terrorism’ (U.K. Government, n.d.-b). How does this view of forensic science balance against the significant changes we have witnessed, for example, the closure of the Forensic Science Service (FSS)? What can we distil from recent events as indicators of the future of science in the criminal justice system? This chapter will explore recent events and the pressures for change as the context within which to assess the future of forensic science.
