The trains may never run on time, but the British Transport Police should have reliable and speedy forensic services thanks to this new contract
The British Transport Police (BTP) has awarded a contract to LGC, an independent analytical laboratory, to deliver a range of forensic analysis services, including criminal justice DNA and scene-of-crime DNA samples, toxicology, drugs, questioned documents and mobile phones.
The UK-wide contract is for an initial three years, with an option to extend for a further two. LGC's standard result turnaround times will provide immediate improvements to the BTP's forensic analysis services.
The BTP covers all aspects of the railways and their associated infrastructure, including both underground and overground rail networks, and operates in the same way as all other regional police forces in the UK.
The Government push for a swift delivery of justice has led to increasing pressures for the police to speed up their processes, and this in turn has raised the expectations that the police have of their forensic service suppliers in terms of performance, turnaround times and presentation of information.
The ability to provide the data quickly and in a manner that is both meaningful and useful, is now essential if the police are to meet their performance targets - and ultimately deliver better services into the community. LGC's proven tailored approach to forensic analysis services raised the BTP's expectations for what the essential requirements of a supplier could be.
LGC's ability to understand the needs of the BTP, and to deliver services of maximum benefit to that particular force, set LGC apart from the competition.
In addition to greatly reduced turnaround times, LGC will also deliver reports electronically, in a tailored format to show the information that the BTP needs and in a way that can be easily incorporated into the BTP's other reporting documentation.
Detective superintendent Gareth Bryon at the BTP, said: "Overall, we are impressed by LGC's flexibility of approach, its commitment to doing whatever it takes to get the job done, and willingness to fit its services with the BTP's own way of doing things.
"This positive attitude, combined with the improved turnaround times that LGC can offer across the whole spectrum of their forensic analysis services, is why LGC won everything that it bid for from our tender".
"We don't dictate - we listen," said Nick Claxton, head of forensic services at LGC.
"That's been our strategy over the last two years as we have built on our established DNA, drugs and toxicology expertise to develop a comprehensive suite of forensic services.
"DNA technology has moved on dramatically over the past five years: it's changing the boundaries as to what's possible.
"The challenge to forensic analysis experts is to bring all other aspects of the service provision up to speed to maximise benefit from these improvements - benefits that can then be passed on to the customer.
"The BTP has over 100 potential sample pick-up points across the UK.
"The logistics for offering a nationwide service are more complex than for a regional service. "However, this will not be a problem as LGC already provides services to UK police forces up and down the country from its two forensic laboratories at Teddington and Runcorn".
The BTP agreement is LGC's latest forensic DNA contract.
LGC recently won a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) contract to analyse the Met's crime scene DNA samples to 2006.
In addition to stains of blood, semen or saliva, pulled or shred hair, or flakes of skin, LGC will receive a range of crime scene samples from the Met - from cigarette ends to clothing - that can be tested for the presence of body fluids or hair.
