A recent parliamentary inquiry has revealed a significant crisis in the forensic science sector, which is leading to increased risks of wrongful convictions and case collapses due to missing evidence.

The inquiry, conducted by an all-party parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice, attributes the current state of forensic science to reckless policy decisions made over the past decade.

The report highlights alarming statistics, noting that missing evidence has resulted in the dropping of 30,552 prosecutions between October 2020 and September 2024, including serious crimes like 70 homicides and 554 sexual offenses.

Prof. Carole McCartney emphasized that the absence of crucial evidence not only prevents victims from achieving justice but also hinders the resolution of cold cases.

Concerns have been raised regarding bias in in-house police laboratories and inadequate funding for defense experts, particularly following the closure of the Forensic Science Service in 2012.

The forensic market is facing imminent collapse, with Eurofins acquiring Cellmark, now controlling over 85% of external forensic services, raising fears of further monopolization.

In response to these challenges, the government has acknowledged the need for coordinated forensic science efforts and plans to appoint a national forensic science lead to enhance standards and public confidence.

Kim Johnson MP has called for urgent reforms in forensic provision to restore public trust and prevent future injustices, linking recent high-profile cases to systemic failures in the justice system.

Prof. Angela Gallop has criticized the current forensic system for failing to serve the needs of all stakeholders, including police, lawyers, courts, and the public, likening it to a 'graveyard spiral' of a malfunctioning airplane.

The inquiry also criticized the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) for its complacency and recommended hiring staff with scientific expertise to improve the handling of wrongful conviction cases.

The report advocates for an immediate halt to the expansion of police in-house forensic services and suggests removing forensic science provision from police oversight in the long term.

In light of these findings, the CCRC has announced improvements in forensic handling, including staff training and a Forensic Opportunities Programme to reassess past convictions using advancements in DNA technology.