Thread by @JeSuisTC

Given the talk about a national #forensic service I've been thinking about what that could look like in 2022, if knowing what we know now, we had a blank piece of paper and we could start anew. Building on the good stuff, learning from the rubbish stuff of the past and present/1

I've been thinking about how we could test any models proposed to fill that void. If I or anyone else came up with a model - how could we test it to assess whether it was any good or better than what we have now? /2

my process in doing so called to mind Tony Benn's 5 questions on democracy and I thought perhaps I could articulate tests for such a model in similar way /3

soI've come up with a few to start with, let me know what you think, here goes /4

1. Independence
Forensic science is a function of the criminal justice system, it cannot be a slave to any one part of it. How does the national forensic service serve the criminal justice system as a whole? /5

2. Equity
The criminal justice system in the UK is adversarial consisting of prosecution and defence. How is the national forensic service accessible to both sides of it?

3. Resilience
How is the national forensic service funded and how does the funding model ensure longevity and maintenance of expertise across all disciplines? /7

4. Quality
How does the national forensic service ensure that it not only meets international standards (at a minimum) but works with global organisations to raise those standards internationally? /8

5. Adaptability
How does the national forensic service innovate to adapt and improve its service to meet the demands of a criminal justice system reflecting an evolving society? /9

6. Influence
How does the national forensic service influence national and international governmental bodies? /10

7. Credibility and reputation
How does the national forensic service serve society outside the criminal justice system both at home and abroad?

8. Finally to borrow directly from Tony Benn - to whom is the national forensic service accountable and how does it reform when everything goes to 💩 /12

I'm grateful to people who have been in touch already with ideas - would love to hear more. Struggling tbh with the idea of setting up any kind of forum or safe place for them on my own, any willing volunteers out there I'd be happy to join forces to explore. /13

As an example I asked Sean Doyle on his views on a model on LinkedIn, I don't know if Sean's on Twitter but he gave an outline on what national service might look like /14

I am going to have a go at a model, and will share it when its done /15/ ends

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