What can the UK forensic science system learn from Australia and Scotland, Lords continue inquiry

On Tuesday 25 November, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will continue its inquiry into the state of forensic science in the UK.  

This week the Committee is interested in how the forensic science system is working and changing in other countries. It will be taking evidence from experts in forensics from Australia and in Scotland.   

They will also be hearing from a KC on whether the state of forensic science in the UK is damaging the criminal justice system and risking miscarriages of justice.     

At 10:15 the Committee will hear from:  

• Professor Claude Roux, Director at Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney 

• Fiona Douglas, Director at Scottish Police Authority Forensic Sciences 

At 11:15 the Committee will hear from: 

• Katy Thorne KC  

The public evidence session will take place from 10:15 am in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster on Tuesday 25 November 2025 and can be viewed live on parliamentlive.tv. 

Topics for discussion include: 

Session 1 

• Forensic services in Australia 

• Forensic services in Scotland 

• Specific disciplines; evidence storage; access to justice 

• Research and Development in forensic science 

• Digital forensics and AI 

• Views on market-based provision and funding of forensic science  

Session 2 

• Defence access to forensic science 

• The role of forensic science in court and evidence handling 

• Issues in courts due to forensic science 

• Digital forensics  

• The role of the National Institute for Forensic Science