The Home Secretary has appointed Gary Pugh OBE as the new
Forensic Science Regulator.
Mr Pugh will begin on 16 May 2021 and carry out the role
for three years, taking over from the Interim Regulator
Rupert Shute.
The Regulator ensures that the provision of forensic
science services across the Criminal Justice System
complies with an appropriately high standard of scientific
quality and is carried out with objectivity and
impartiality.
Responsibilities of the Forensic Science Regulator include:
-
establishing, and monitoring compliance with, quality
standards in the provision of forensic science services
to the police service and the wider Criminal Justice
System (CJS)
-
ensuring, where applicable, the accreditation of those
supplying forensic science services to the police,
including in-house police services and forensic
suppliers to the wider CJS
-
setting and monitoring compliance with, quality
standards applying to national forensic science
intelligence databases
-
providing advice to Ministers, CJS organisations,
suppliers and others as seems appropriate, on matters
related to quality standards in forensic science
-
dealing with complaints from stakeholders and members
of the public in relation to quality standards in the
provision of forensic science services.
Mr Pugh, a former Director of Forensic Services in the
Metropolitan Police Service, is a forensic scientist of
over 40 years, with experience of leading national
governance boards and operations.
The new Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 is intended to
provide the Regulator with statutory powers.
Home Secretary said:
Ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of
forensic investigation is vital and Gary Pugh brings a
wealth of experience to the role of Forensic Science
Regulator.
Working for many years at the top of his field, he will
ensure police are working to the very highest scientific
standards when investigating crimes, pursuing criminals
and seeking justice for victims.
So much progress has been made in implementing quality
standards, but science is constantly evolving, and the
Forensic Science Regulator plays a vital role in setting
those standards.
Gary Pugh said:
I am delighted to be appointed to the post of Forensic
Science Regulator.
I look forward to building on the solid work of my
predecessors and working with the team that support my
role to ensure the effective operation of forensic
quality standards.
The Royal Assent for the Forensic Science Regulator Bill
will put my role on a statutory footing recognising the
importance of forensic quality standards and their
critical contribution to delivering justice.
