The policy, regulation and practice group focuses on improving the quality and effectiveness of forensic science, drawing on the unique breadth of King’s Forensics in research, casework, ethical oversight, development of standards and teaching. The group plays leading roles in advisory groups for the Forensic Science Regulator and the Department of Transport, and in the Forensics and Biometrics Ethics Group.

Models of forensic science provision vary by jurisdiction, with police, government, commercial sector, and academia contributing to different extents. Even within a single jurisdiction, multiple approaches abound. While there is no shortage of strongly held views, the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of regimes for delivery of forensic science casework, innovation and quality assurance has been patchy at best. Our active collaborations with police, forensic science providers, policymakers and oversight organisations enables the policy, regulation & practice group to contribute to improved decision-making and collation of data to inform future approaches.

Forensic science can only be at its most effective when the legal framework within which it is admitted and scrutinised is appropriate. Legal scholarship and collaboration with legal practitioners is therefore a core part of our work.

Optimising the use of forensic science in relation to specific crime types is increasingly important when resources and capacity are stretched. Making the appropriate use of public funding, and understanding the impact of such funding, is important where future investment is sought. We are therefore involved in identifying and evaluating interventions to improve the collection, analysis, interpretation and use of evidence in an effective manner that maintains the trust of all participants in criminal justice systems.