Forensic Science Innovation in the UK: Roadblocks and Enablers

Forensic science is an innovative discipline that seeks to address the challenges of crime reconstruction. Innovation has enhanced the accuracy, reliability and speed of detection across a broad range of materials from DNA to digital traces. There is also a growing body of work addressing the foundational science required to underpin the evaluative interpretation of traces in case specific contexts. However, as a discipline, forensic science faces notable challenges which, if left unaddressed, have the potential to impact future developments and capabilities to serve the justice system. This is a serious concern given the rapid pace of change, particularly with the growing relevance of digital evidence, and the accompanied growing demands on forensic science. The contested identity of forensic science (what it is considered to be, and who it is considered to be for), along with the fragmentation of forensic science from crime scene to court, are profound issues that impact how forensic science is valued and the level and strategy of investment made. Therefore, addressing these core issues is critical to identifying the current and potential future roadblocks and enablers of innovation. A sustainable and thriving innovation capability in forensic science is critical, especially given that new challenges are emerging at pace, and innovation achieved today may well not be fit for purpose in five years time. A hierarchical representation of key factors that can be considered as levers to identify roadblocks and enablers to innovation in forensic science presents the importance of context, values, culture, processes and methods. Ultimately, it is critical that innovation is facilitated by establishing "win–win" situations for all stakeholders so that forensic science is valued and innovation is enabled. Re-imagining the infrastructures that frame innovation activities will be important. Considering how to achieve appropriate regulation that also creates opportunity for innovative activities has the potential to remove barriers to innovation where it is possible to do so, and to foster enablers. It will also be important to reduce friction and create opportunities for curiosity, creativity and exploration to achieve both innovation today, and ensure a pipeline of research and development for the innovations that will be needed in the future.