Streamlined reporting of forensic evidence in England and Wales

Abstract

Streamlined Forensic Reporting (SFR) is a case management procedure recently introduced in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. It involves a proportionate use and staged producing of the forensic evidence at court, by means of abbreviated forensic reports, depending on whether the defence will agree or take issue with the forensic evidence that the prosecution intends to rely upon. SFR aims to achieve an early identification of the real issues in the case and to reduce costs and delays associated with the use of forensic evidence in criminal proceedings. This paper analyses the most significant aspects of the SFR procedure. It argues that, while SFR offers several advantages, the inappropriate use of SFR and case fragmentation in terms of investigation and preparation of forensic work within the background of cost-cutting pressures, could threaten the delivery of justice and the role of forensic evidence in criminal proceedings.