Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services Committee with an update on progress of the Criminal Toxicology Drug Driving workload.
To access the full document please open the PDF document above.
To view as accessible content please use the sections below. (Note that tables and some appendixes are not available as accessible content).
Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Forensic Services Committee - 5 February 2026
Date : 05 February 2026
Location : Online
Implications
Implications detail
There are social implications associated with this paper, specifically the impact from drug-driving on the roads in Scotland.
There are financial implications in this report, specifically the costs associated with outsourcing. The initial Forensic Services revenue budget for 2025/26 of £300K covered planned outsourcing, however, given the current demand levels remain around 20% higher than forecast, an additional £166K has been reallocated from the revenue budget. It is anticipated the newly allocated budget of £466K will be sufficient to meet the increased demand and the scheduled development work this FY. It is understood the PSoS drug driving pilot scheduled within A and U divisions (OP Seltern) will be fully funded by PSoS.
There are legal implications associated with this paper, specifically the risk of cases being unable to proceed to prosecution.
Strategic alignment SPA SO5 – We are a learning organisation, where decision making and scrutiny are evidence led.
Regular review of committee effectiveness contributes to the Authority’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Strategic alignment SPA SO5 – We are a learning organisation, where decision making and scrutiny are evidence led.
Regular review of committee effectiveness contributes to the Authority’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Prior governance
In the first instance, Member and stakeholder feedback is presented to the People Committee for consideration.
Stakeholder engagement The views of stakeholders who responded to a committee effectiveness survey are outlined in this report.
Stakeholders who contributed to and/or attended an Authority committee during this financial year (2025/26) were invited to complete a survey and offer comments. Stakeholders invited to provide their view are listed below:
• Police Scotland
• Forensic Services
• PIRC
• COSLA
• Crown Office
• Scottish Government
• HMICS
• Biometrics Commissioner
• National Crime Agency
• Internal/External Audit
• ASPS
• SPF
• Unison
• Unite
Implications detail
Annual review of committee effectiveness contributes to the Authority’s efforts to improve its governance of policing.
Feedback may have an impact which will inform the Annual Review of Governance which is subject to an Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment. The most recent EqHIRA was published in November 2025.
