Minutes ACPO Forensic Science and Innovation Board 30 January 2015 ATTENDANCE Present CC Dee Collins Kevin Morton Jo Ashworth Richard Small Martin Pearce Shaun Mallinson Zale Johnson Pete Fulham Angela Lindsay Gillian Tully West Yorkshire Police (Chair) YatH East Midlands West Midlands Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) CAST CAST Hertfordshire (Part) RSSS YatH (notes and actions) Forensic Science Regulator (via conference call) Apologies Nick McCoy Ian Jakeman Hugh Owen Farhana Nanji Ian Elkins Victoria Morton Graham Kissock Lisa Morgan Anya Hunt West Mercia Dorset Cheshire BTP (FN) CPS Scottish Police Authority PSNI North Wales Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (AH) 1. Welcome CC Dee Collins opened the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance. Introductions were made. reiterated that colleagues attended the ACPO Science and Innovation Board meetings to represent regions rather than individual forces and colleagues within their region should be updated following meetings. The minutes and actions from the previous meeting held on 11 September 2014 were reviewed. GT (Forensic Science Regulator) joined the meeting by conference call. 1
2. Revised Terms of Refernece previously circulated the existing ToR for the group and he thanked everyone for providng their feedback regarding the update of the detail. JA suggested a reference to delivery vehicle for suppliers be added to the ToR, i.e. how do we bring products to the table, and also how the group will monitor innovation. Following discussion it was asgreed that and JA would meet and discuss outside of the meeting. Action: / JA to updated the ToR and circulate the updated version to the group 3. Para DNA RS provided an overview of Para DNA, an an update in relation to the project. The project links in to the Rapid DNA Project Board regularly, providing updates as appropriate. RS confirmed that due to a number of risks identified during previous pilots a final pilot will be needed. Two key pieces of work will be undertaken before the final pilot commences. Independent evaluation of the pilots will be undertaken. An extension to scope will be necessary if Para DNA is to be come business as usual, stakesholders will need reassurance that verification of the device has been reached and that it meets with expectations etc. Once the package is ready for final pilot the detail will be delivered to the DNA Strategy Board and the Forensic Science Regulator with benefits and risks etc outlined. Once the final pilot commences it may flow in to business as usual. A discussion on Para DNA followed. informed the meeting that YatH were waiting to commence using Para DNA at scenes, RS confirmed he would be happy to share his evaluations with and both could run Para DNA in tandem. It was agreed that and RS would meet in the next few weeks to progress Para DNA. Action: / RS to meet to discuss / progress Para DNA GT expressed her views from a Forensic Regulators perspective on Para DNA. Lots of scientific testing has been done with results much the same. This testing the current device will never go beyond screening due to specification limitations. The Regulator s Codes require testing against a clear requirement. The science needs to be tested against user requirements which will need to be covered in the final testing. There needs to be a clear understanding of full end-to-end process, risks and clear end user requirements. This needs to be set out clearly in the documented procedures. RS confirmed that a group of in-house scientists at WMP who drafted the ISO framework for the crime lab have undertaken work to document the clear requirements. MP confirmed that the MoD have been testing Para DNA since approx. 2010, the process was used to exclude individuals. MP agreed he would supply data to RS as this may assist in the pilot, however he asked that the information shared was not ciruclated further. Action: MP to share MoD Para DNA test data to RS 4. Rapid DNA JA circulated a copy of the Rapid DNA Technologies Project Initiation Document (PID). JA highlighted several areas of the document (page 4 objectives and page 5 deliverables). JA provided an overview of the two pilots that were being run following a successful innovation fund bid. Rapid Hit and Rapid DNA. The Rapid Hit mahcine is not as sensitive as the conventional process and is currently only being used on blood. The end-to-end process will be reviewed and costs of original processes will be compared to Rapid DNA costs. At present the new Rapid DNA is more expensive than the original process and therefore there needs to be an understanding of benefits compared to costs. JA outlined 2
the red, amber, green process (RAG) and how it will be rolled out in other areas of business. She confirmed testing will move to live samples over the next few weeks. The project has entailed steep learning for both Forces and suppliers. JA reported that the Met have stopped their pilot and are now evaluating the processes. She confirmed the project will be supported by CAST and a self assessment tool will be producted (similar to old benefit type calculator). 5. Innovations in drug and weapon importation, detction and UK courier firms PF confirmed his force are experiencing a degree of importation issues at distribution centres, and contraband issues realting to firearms and drugs etc. PF outlined an incident involving smuggled illegal firearms by an illegal imigrant. A discussion ensued. confirmed that technology is being looked at by the SIG and outlined a recent visit to Huddersfield University to look at work they were progressing in relation to x-ray and CT scanning. **************S23 SM agreed to raise this at the Home Office. **************S23 6. SIG SM provided an update in relation to the SIG. SM informed the meeting that he will be writing to all Vice Chancellors of Universities making them aware of the SIG. The SIG will run a Digital Forensic Workshop will run at the end of March this will look at the challenges for digital forensics. A series of Police Workshops will be run prior to the SIG Digital Forensic Workshop. confirmed RSSS YatH are attending and that the details have been ciruclated to Hi-Tech Crime colleagues. SM confirmed the fingerprint report is being sent out to the Fingerprint Board members for their comments. The SIG will run a Phenotype Workshop on 17 March 2015 in London. is attending this event. SM informed the meeting that the main challeng facing the SIG is funding. The Home Office are reviewing the funding and DSTL are looking to invest if possible. Other funding opportunities are being sought. SM confirmed that the SIG was looking to expand to the whole security arena. SM outlined catapult centres and highlighteed that there are many opportunities in the marketplace not just linked to forensics. 7. Horizon Scanning Zale Johnson (Home Office) provided a PowerPoint presentation in relation to Horizon Scanning and outlined why Horizon Scanning has been formalised, how it works and what it can offer once a customer has given their requirements. Digial Forensics from the Tactical Plan was outlined and it was agreed this could be a good project for Horizon Scanning. A copy of the presentation will be circulated to all attendees at the meeting. 8. Horizon 20/20 Funding 3
SM outlined the 2015 Horizon 20/20 programme and confirmed it opens in March, closing in August. CAST are interested in the follwing areas: - - Robotic technology at crime scenes - Internet analysis - Stand-off scanning - Big data analysis SM confirmed he had been in touch with Harriet Mainprize (WYP) as CAST are keen to develop relationships with Police Forces. SM confirmed meetings had been arranged with several foreign Police Forces including Holland, Germany, France and Poland. The 20/20 funding will be finalised next week. It is anticipated the focus will be on public safety issues. 9. CAST Update SM confirmed that Livetime Forensics needs to be formalised as a project and so it was being brought back to ACPO S&I Board to progress, a re-write may be required, however RS reminded the group that Livetime Forensics was recently reviewed and the document updated. SM conifrmed SBRI had seen 8 contracts awarded, and SM will report to the ACPO S&I Board after the end of the financial year, proof of concepts will also be brought to the board. **************S23 SM confirmed a FERA Workshop will be taking place on 6 February 2015 in York in realtion to food authenticity. He requested support from Forces for this event. committed YatH assistance. MP provided an update in relation to a round table event held on 29 January 2015, chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor (GCSA). GCSA is trying to determine whether there are any issues or questions relating to Forensic Science which may aid Government in defining future policy or direction. Also in attendance were HO Chief Scientific Advisor and National Security Chief Scientific Advisor, as well as representatives from GO Science, Govt labs and academia. After discussion, GCSA identified four potential question areas: - Are the right skills in forensic science available now / in the future? - How courts should handle complex scientific evidence presented to them - Whether a criminal s ability to evade forensic detection is an emerging problem (e.g. Smart phones can t get in to the encryption) - How forensic science should be used to determine provenance or source of material across all areas, not just crime e.g. food confirmed there is currently a lot of work taking place around provenance of material, LGC Forensics, Huddersfield University, Phenotypes event GT confirmed that alongside any new techniques there needs to be data to back up the techniques, interpretation of data. GCSA will consider these four questions further, and decide whether any require some sort of review. The review might start from the point of ensuring we have a secure society rather than forensic science, but forensic science would feature heavily in any review. GCSA was also unsure what form any review would take. It may be a Blackett review (Defined as: A Govtcommissioned review using both Government and non-government scientists to address problems that require scientific input of the highest level) or may be a lower level report. 4
GCSA will update the forensic science community once he has determined whether any action is required. 10. Any Other Business GT confirmed that as part of her role, she was working with her team to look at the training and awareness around innovation. GT asked the group what technical support should be available for investigators in sexaual Assaults, such as systematic look at such as Y cromosones etc. confirmed that there is a separate ACPO group for sexual assaults / sexual examinations etc and there is a need to link in to this group. Action: CC DC / to write to the ACPO lead of sexaul assault referrals regarding technical support etc for investigators RS raised the National Fingerpirnt Conference and conifrmed he had given the organisers of the event s contact details. Following discussion it was agreed that RS would attend the event and provdie a presentation similar to the one he has given previously. JA asked if there was a role for the Board to have sight of innovation bid submissions / awards. CC DC expressed her opinion that the Board should have sight of bid submissions / awards. This would need to be added to the ToR for the ACPO S&I Board. Action: /JA to explore how innovation bid submissions / awards could be managed through the Board and if possible add to the ACPO S&I Board ToR SM confirmed that both he and Jonathan Vaughan (Home Office) do see any innovation bids linked to forensics but he agreed it does need to be Police Force driven. Next Meeting: 14 April 2015 5
Action Schedule New Actions 1. Update the ToR to include reference to delivery vehicle for suppliers i.e. how do we bring products to the table, and also how the group will monitor innovation. Following discussion it was asgreed that and JA would meet and discuss outside of the meeting. Innovation Bid Submissions and Awards to also be added to the ToR if they can be managed through the Board / JA 2. Discuss and progress Para DNA within the YatH Region / RS 3. Share MoD Para DNA test data to RS MP 4. **************S23 CC DC / 5. Write to the ACPO lead of sexaul assault referrals regarding technical support etc for investigators CC DC / Actions Carried Forward Action Owner Update 1. Review the ToR and suggest amendments / updates to by Tuesday - 15 July 2014 All Circulated the draft ToR ongoing See new action 2. Speak to Tom Nelson regarding representation on the S&I Board for Scotland 3. Speak to Keith Fryer regarding representation on the S&I Board for the College of Policing 4. Liaise with SIG colleagues to arrange a reprensentative for the S&I Board 5. Check and share any relevant Para DNA documentation with the group /SM MP confirmed speaking with Tom Nelson interested but no nomination received as yet TN confirmed he would nominate someone to attend ongoing to follow up Keith Fryer nominated an attendee. Discussed not sure right nominee needs to be a colleague from Research area to speak to KF again - ongoing SM to progress the suggested attendee would be Jo Taylor Ongoing Mark Littlewood to be invited to future meetings MP confirmed that it was now possible to share the documents and this would be done as soon as 6
6. Share the internal CAST PID (Live Time Fornesics) with / JA SM possible Ongoing will be covered 30.01.2015 Actions Closed at the Meeting Action Owner Update 1. Bringing Products to Market Process slide to be updated and circulated 2. Circulate the methodology document for Rapid DNA to the group 3. Circulate a copy of the Rapid DNA Project document when it is available to the group 4. Discuss the presentation for the Forensic Science R&D Technology Showcase RS JA /SM Done closed Circulated closed Circulated closed Done closed 5. Draft a proposal re Horizon Scanning SM / MP Done as part of the meeting 30.01.2015 6. Arrange for a colleague to attend the next meeting regarding Horizon Scanning and Technology Watch SM Attending meeting 30.01.2015 7. Liaise with BTP regarding representation at S&I Board 8. Review SIG list and compile top 20 with reasons why 9. Review Bringing Products to Market process slide and make any necessary amendments NMc All Ongoing Been invited - closed Some colleagues have undertaken this action ongoing done - closed Ongoing will be amended and recirculated prior to next meeting - closed 7