Forensic Science and Innovation Board

Transcription

1 Forensic Science and Innovation Board Minutes 28 September 2016 ATTENDANCE Present CC Dee Collins Kevin Morton Jo Ashworth Nick McCoy Shaun Mallinson Jonathan Vaughan Angela Lindsay By Conference Call Victoria Morton Graham Kissock Farhana Nanji Anya Hunt Felicity Carlysle Apologies Lisa Morgan Pete Fulham **************S23 Martin Pearce Gillian Tully West Yorkshire Police (Chair) YatH East Midlands West Mercia Home Office (CAST) Home Office (CAST) RSSS YatH (notes and actions) Scottish Police Authority PSNI BTP Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences KTN North Wales Hertfordshire **************S23 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Forensic Science Regulator 1. Welcome DC opened the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance and participation via conference call. Introductions were made. The minutes and actions from the previous meeting held on 29 June 2016 were reviewed and agreed as an accurate record of the meeting. Please refer to the action schedule for action updates. Page 1 of 8

2 2. NPCC Forensic Science Portfolio Update JA and provided an udpate in relation to the recent NPCC Forensic Science Portfolio they had both attended (20 September, Bristol). JFBS had featured heavily on the agenda and also the recent Science and Technology Committee report which is somewhat scathing of the Forensic Strategy document, suggesting that the strategy is a plan to develop a strategy rather than a strategy itself. The Home Office have to respond to the S&T Committee report within 2 months, an initial draft is likely to be circulated within a few weeks to portfolio holders to review and provided feedback, as yet this has not been received. A discussion ensued. JA suggested that consideration be given to a review of the ToR for the S&I Board in light of the S&T Committee report. An update was provided at the meeting by Rod McClean in relation to statutory powers for the Forensic Science Regulator and the need for a statutory vehicle to attach the powers to, it is unclear at this stage how this will be delivered, it will possibly be reviewed May Governance in the Home Office around forensics is being reviewed. It was reported that the College of Policing review is drawing to a close, there is a possibility that they will withdraw from forensic training. CC Simpson has asked for an impact report from all attendees of the Forensic Science Portfolio. A discussion followed. expressed his view that there is a definite requirement to have a national standard around training but that the current model is not fit for purpose in modern policing. DC used firearms as an example, delivered locally but licensed via the college, if this is a model being considered by the college forces should take comfort in this. JA expressed her opinion that if a standardised product was delviered locally, licensed via the college it would need to be mandated. Not all courses would meet standardisation so they would need to be reviewed and refreshed. It was reported that only 6 of the 60 (10%) applications for digital forensic accreditation are likely to meet the deadline. Discussions with the FSR are ongoing but at this time the FSR appears to be reluctant to extend the timeframes. A discussion ensued. It was reported that ACC David Lewis is the new NPCC lead for Performance and Standards. At the NPCC Forensic Science Portfolio the coordination of innovation projects was discussed. It was suggested that the NPCC Science and Innovation board collate a schedule to highlight interdependencies of the different initiatives being undertaken by forces and systems and how these could be better coordinated as well as looking at collaboration opportunities in relation to bids. An action was noted for CC Collins to write to the Home Office to obtain a list of all submitted bids, and to also write to forces to make them aware of the coordination process, the potential for collaborative bids and ask for details on innovation work being undertaken by forces outside the PIF process. Action: DC to write to the Home Office to obtain a list of all submitted bids, and to also write to to forces to make them aware of the coordination process, the potential for collaborative bids and ask for details on innovation work being undertaken by forces the PIF process. Action: NPCC S&I Board collate a register to oversee innovation interdependencies and explore collaborative opportunities for bids Forensic pathology was disussed at the NPCC Forensic Portfolio Board, in relation to the Hutchinson Report. There are currently 35 HO Pathologists in 6 practices and there has been no boundary changes. expressed his concern that since Medico Legal closed in Sheffield forensic pathology services to YatH have been provided on an informal basis via Greater Manchester, Newcastle and Merseyside. This has caused some timing issues and confirmed he has asked for further disussion at the pathology group. Page 2 of 8

3 3. KTN SIG Update FC provided an update in relation to KTN via conference call. FC confirmed her main focus at the moment has been the Forensic Science Technology Showcase which will be held in London on 20 th October (the date had to be moved to accommodate Sir Mark Walport). FC confirmed this is the first time KTN have charged for attendance so it will be interesting to see if this has an effect on the numbers that sign up, and the numbers who actually attend. At this stage FC expressed her view that it has had a negative impact on registrations. Exhibitor places have remained free of charge and as a result KTN have secured 13 exhibitors at this stage with some space held back for last minute interest as KTN colleagues have been asked to think of any companies they know that might have technology that would translate across. RS confirmed he has registered his attendance. and JA both gave their apologies as due to the change in date they cannot attend. Action: to raise the Forensic Science Technology at the Forensic Delivery Board on 4 th October 2016 to encourage attendance FC confirmed she has been working to complete the SIG s report on drug analysis. The process has been held up slightly by the changes within the Home Office following the referendum resulting in extra care being taken as it passed through their press office. It is the aim of FC to have the report published in time for the Showcase on the 20 th October, however she is waiting for final comments from Hazel Biggs (KTN) before she can proceed. FC outlined future work, this includes a piece of work to revamp the Innovation Database consolidate the challenges, update the stakeholders, and develop a method for archiving old challenges etc. Another piece of work will be to identify topics for additional reports and potential workshops in the future. 4. National Forensic Strategy JFBS / Remote Transmission of Crime Scene Images National Forensic Strategy was discussed as part of the NPCC Forensic Portfolio Board update. confirmed the JFBS bid has been submitted, bids will be considered by the end of September with recommendations made to the Home Secretary in October. Funding is likely to be available (if successful) by November. confirmed the RSSS YatH Remote Transmission of Crime Scene Images which is a project already approved by PTB for funding is linked to JFBS (subject to JFBS funding being approved). A meeting will be held later today to discuss remote transmissions. There are two current workstreams linked to JFBS, traditional forensics via RSSS YatH, and digital forensics via the Met, TVP, Kent, Essex, Cambs, Beds and Herts. JA confirmed that the transparancy of forces being approached had been questioned but that there was now clearer understanding that the HO have insisted JFBS link into forces who have already secured funding for projects (submitted and approved). outlined a potential risk to funding, the funding is for one year but the (RSSS) project is a two year workstream so it won t be delivered in a year. Therefore there is no guarantee of funding, within the first year only the procurement exercise is likely to have concluded. It was agreed that JFBS would become a standing agenda item for the S&I Board meetings (for an appropriate time) to ensure the group is sighted on and engaged with the progress. Action: JFBS to be added to the S&I agenda 5. Livetime Forensics Review / Update Page 3 of 8

4 SM reported that the review of Livetime Forensics has not commenced (as previously agreed) as JFBS has overtaken this work. SM,, JA and RS had all committed to the review previously. The group discussed Livetime Forensics and agreed the document has been deemed beneficial and has been used by a number of organisations. SM asked if it was appropriate we make a commitment to review the document now. JA expressed her opinion that the document should be reviewed and areas highlighted that should form part of JFBS as Livetime Forensics is an excellent document. SM added his view that the document has been available for a number of years and it has not progressed, it is right to refresh the content, although the challenges from 4 / 5 years ago are still similar to challenges faced now. It was agreed that digital forensics should be added to the document. SM confirmed that CAST are pushing for resource to review. SM confirmed he would take the feedback to CAST in relation to resources and suggest a feasability study to line the document up to JFBS, he also confirmed that CAST have a new work task to coordinate this piece of work already. RS requested he be part of the review work, and JA also expressed that they were keen to be involved in this piece of work. SM suggtested the piece of work isn t major as the basis is there already. reported that the Forensic Portfolio Board had dicsussed the fact that developers and innovators don t have a single portal into Policing. Should this be included in Livetime Forensics? JA expressed her view that there is a definite difference between an innovator and someone trying to sell something. It was agreed that S&I should undertaken this piece of work as part of the review of Livetime Forensics. Action: S&I Board to consider how the board could become the portal into Policing for developers and innovators as part of the Livetime Forensics review 6. Coordination of Police PIF / PTF and other Innovation Projects This was discussed earlier in the meeting (item 2). confirmed that the previous correspondence to forces in relation to bids had resulted in positve suggestions, however the deadline was missed. A discussion ensued and it was agreed to revist the previous correspondence, resend and look at opportunities for the next round of bids. SM confirmed that an opportunity for submitting bids may be released in November and close in December, but that he is trying to confirm timescales with the Home Office at present. Action: Re-send request for suggested bids out again and revisit previous action () SM confirmed that PIF deal with local issues and is match funded, PTF is not matched funded and is aimed at a national level, however the funding is the same pot of money. 7. Horizon 20/20 SM provided an update in relation to Horizon 20/20 confirming that the treasuery have offered / confirmed that if involved in an EU project at the time of brexit the cost/funding will be underwritten. The current message from the Home Office is continue to participate. The exit from the EU is likely to take 2 years. This means if a project is a 3 year project the treasurey may part fund the initative. SM confirmed CAST are currently involved in a couple of forensic based projects, there are 8 proposals in the forensic arena for Results will be announced in January Looking forward to 2018 SM confirmed there may be a number of areas of interest, he will provide updates at each meeting. Page 4 of 8

5 8. CAST Update SM and provided an update in relation to CAST. An announcement has recently be made that an agreement in principle has been reached to move CAST from the Home Office to DSTL. There are two options under consideration one is to move CAST to one site and develop or move the operation of CAST to DSTL. The Home Office would commission work to DSTL, this will happen over the next 3 to 4 years. expressed his opinion that there could be benefits in moving to DSTL as it is a much bigger organisation and there would be increased resources and technology available to deliver more support to initiatives. asked what risk would the move create for policing as DSTL is a defence organisation and may have little interest in police based science projects. SM agreed there would be a certain level of risk. asked if DSTL have a policing division. confirmed this is not yet known but it will be fed into considerations, DSTL will have different priorities to the Home Office but DSTL is also changing in relation to sites and how they operate. SM expressed his view that at the moment it feels negative however there could be positives as it progresses. Military often feeds into policing approximately 2 years down the line so we may see technology and innovation progress quicker than currently is the case within the Home Office. expressed his opinion that DSTL forensics are more advanced than the Home Office. SM confirmed that any comments or feedback in relation to the proposals should be raised with Mr Andy Bell, Head of CAST. It was agreed that /DC would discuss and consideration be given to NPCC raising this with Mr Bell, via NPCC lead CC Debbie Simpson. Action: DC/ to discuss CAST proposals (comments and feedback) provided further CAST updates in relation to polymer bank notes (cocaine residue), statistical approach to fingerprints and ground truth databases. Discussion ensued. SM confirmed he had discussed the S&I Board with the CAST digital forensics lead and suggested he should sidt on the S&I Board as he looks after digital forensic innovation. RS confirmed the Met have a preferred bidder for digital, an announcement is due in mid- November. ** Colleagues participating via conference call left the meeting ** 9. Rapid DNA Presentation gave a presentation on Rapid DNA, he confirmed that he will circulate the Rapid DNA Delivery Report once it has been agreed by the Board Action: to circulate the Rapid DNA Delivery Report once agreed by the Board 10. Any Other Business No matters were raised under any other business. Next Meeting: 7 th December 2016 Page 5 of 8

6 Action Schedule New Actions Action 1. Write to the Home Office to obtain a list of all submitted bids, and to also write to write to forces to make them aware of the coordination process, the potential for collaborative bids and ask for details on innovation work being undertaken by forces the PIF process 2. NPCC S&I Board collate a register to oversee innovation interdependencies and 3. Raise the Forensic Science Technology at the Forensic Delivery Board on 4 th October 2016 to encourage attendance 4. Add JFBS to the S&I Agenda (standing item until JFBS concludes) 5. S&I Board to consider how the board could become the portal into Policing for developers and innovators as part of the Livetime Forensics review 6. Re-send request for suggested bids out again and revisit previous action (relates to PIF / PTF bids) 7. DC/ to discuss CAST proposals (comments and feedback to Head of CAST via CC Debbie Simpson as NPCC Lead) 8. Circulate the Rapid DNA Delivery Report once agreed by the Board Owner DC Raised details of event sent to all SSM s by 5/10 action can be closed at December meeting All DC/ Page 6 of 8

7 Actions Carried Forward Action Owner Update 1. Contact the AFSP and invite to attend S&I Board Meetings 2. Provide the Fingerprint Governance Group minutes for circulation to S&I Board 3. Review the KTN documents and provide feedback / suggestions to FC re case exmaples that are relevant now All AFSP contacted await response therefore action not closed Pending not approved for circulation action not closed 4. Circulate the CAST key priorities list 5. Circulate list of operationally significant fingerprint developments and other research developments being undertaken outlined in the CAST update to check if this was circulated previously and confirm. If not, it will be circulated a.s.a.p to follow this up with 29/6: Fingerprint Governance Group has a research list pulled together. confirmed that the Chief Scientific Advsiors is undertaking a review of fingerprint research and suggested waiting until this information is available 28/9: Ongoing Page 7 of 8

8 Actions Closed Action Owner Update 1. Liaise with CC Collins and request that she writes to CC Simpson / NPCC in relation to Police Transformation Fund bids and working together to coordinate bids 2. Provide a brief update in relation to the Performance and Standards Group 3. Circulate the two reports being reviewed Digital Forensics Capability and Taking R&D to Market 4. Consider inviting LGC Forensics to attend a NPCC S&I Board to present to the group in relation to the research and development work they are undertaking 5. Provide an update for circulation to the group on Rapid DNA (to be sent to for circulation) 6. Give a presentation on Rapid DNA potential uses and the results he outlined from recent testing at the next NPCC S&I Board FC JA to arrange for next S&I Board also see new action in relation to FSP attendance This action was not concluded JA to circulate the newsletter 29/6: JA confirmed this would be circuated a.s.a.p was not present at the meeting to be carried forward 29/6: To be carried forward to the next meeting Page 8 of 8