Further Detail

On 13 July 2022, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) published the Terms of Reference for their Assurance Review with the aim to ‘assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the arrangements in relation to the processes which are in place for obtaining, analysing and reporting toxicology samples obtained for Section 4 and Section 5A Road Traffic Act 1988 cases’.

HMICS concluded their detailed Assurance Review and published their report on their findings on 25^th April 2023. HMICS made 25 recommendations for improvement.

In response to the publication of the HMICS report, SPA FS and Police Scotland developed action plans to address the recommendations where the organisations were the identified Action Leads.

Steady progress has been made in terms of SPA FS and Police Scotland addressing the recommendations, with 16 recommendations closed by HMICS, to date. This is an increase of two from the previous Committee update on 07 August 2025.  Nine recommendations remain live.

Focused activity continues on a number of recommendations linked to the reintroduction of the six-month timeline on 30 November 2024. Discussions with relevant stakeholders continues and it is anticipated, following a review of performance, a number of additional recommendations will be submitted for closure by the end of Q3 2025/26. 

Appendix A provides a summary of updates regarding recommendations since the previous report to the Forensic Services Committee on 07 August 2025.