Science at the forefront of policing

Cutting-edge science that helps the police to detect crimes in hours rather than days and creates safer neighbourhoods is at the heart of a new strategy published by the National Policing Improvement Agency.

'Science and Innovation in the Police Service 2010-2013' sets out how the service aims to bring offenders to justice more quickly; creating massive savings that will be diverted into priority issues like frontline policing.

Already the police service, working with the NPIA, has made good use of science and innovation at a local level. Recent successes have included the use of Evidential Drug Identification Testing
kits (EDIT) in 17 forces. These have reduced the cost testing for Class A drugs from around £100 to £5 and increased delivery times dramatically.

The Metropolitan Police Service, for example, has already saved nearly £2m as a result. Another 13 forces will shortly launch EDIT within their area.

Other current innovations include:

• Technical advances and world-class detection of crime scene marks training for police Crime Scene Investigators.
• The rollout of mobile data capabilities to 43,000 officers in all police forces.
• The National Injuries Database combines medical, forensic, scientific and police reports with photos, x-rays and videos to produce analysis of unusual weapons and wounds.

Promising technologies currently being developed include:

• New Mobile fingerprint ID capability.
• Accelerated DNA Profiling Technology (ADAPT) will be piloted.

Nationally the Information Systems Improvement Strategy (ISIS) will transform the way police information technology is developed, procured, implemented and managed through standardization and better partnership working.