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Will the closure of the FSS lead to more miscarriages of justice?

More than three-quarters of forensic scientists believe next month's closure of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) will lead to more miscarriages of justice. The Government is winding up the FSS, which was making an operating loss of £2 million per month

More than two-thirds of the 365 forensic scientists surveyed by New Scientist, thought transferring the work to private or police laboratories would lead to more biased findings, and more than three in five thought it would make it harder to interpret evidence.

Home Office Minister James Brokenshire diagrees with the findings stating that there is no reason to suggest that private sector experts will not be able to deliver.

The concerns come after Andrew Rennison, the forensic science regulator, warned that the FSS represented the UK on the international stage and the country's reputation would "undoubtedly" be damaged when it is closed.

He also called for powers to help him regulate standards in police laboratories and elsewhere, saying many laboratories fall short of accepted standards.

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