Challenges Faced by Sole Traders and SMEs Working

Challenges Faced by Sole Traders and SMEs Working in the Criminal Justice System Sue Carney Consultant Forensic Scientist

My Story: Ethos Forensics established 2011

What are the issues?

A level playing field?

My experiences…

My Top 5

1. Financial

There are many financial issues: • Remuneration of expert witness fees are complex • Solicitors & barristers are not prompt payers • Court attendance fees, if you can find them, are intractable • FSPs are charging increasing bench / admin fees • The cost of accreditation is astronomical…

I have never been paid in full by a crown court

No local expert. . ?

…and I am a Mancunian

The longest I’ve waited to be paid. . ?

… 18 months!

2. Communication

Criminal Justice Secure Mail • 3 applications and a year later… success! • Requires at least one referee who is on a secure network… • But NOT on the CJSM network

3. The Legal Aid Agency

LAA Issues: • Cuts… Fewer cases are funded • Unrealistic expectations of the length of time work will take • Or, loathe to pay for consultancy • Poor understanding of forensic science processes…

Peer review is NOT an “admin process”!

4. Timescales

Timescales • Why are defence barristers in such a rush? • Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996: • • Once the prosecution have disclosed their case to the defence, the defence have 14 days to disclose its own case to the prosecution CPS are not in a hurry to provide authorisation

5 a. FSP Attitudes

FSP Attitudes • Inconsistent: • Sometimes helpful & welcoming • But often suspicious, defensive or at worst, obstructive

5 b. FSP Perceptions

We do NOT work for “The Dark Side”

Experts Instructed by the Defence: • Are professional, reputable and impartial • Have a job to do: • • Answer specific questions • Address specific scenarios • Explain the limitations of the evidence Are not specifically looking for errors

Experts Instructed by the Defence: • Should be able to demonstrate their competence • This is why accreditation is crucially important • Should be recognised as reputable • The CSo. FS as our professional body will help

• FAPSA has allowed STs and SMEs to have a voice in the forensic science community • We have been able to network and collaborate with colleagues • There’s a future in collaboration • There is room in the forensic market for us all

• • There are countless other issues • In particular, access to tenders • SMEs should not be priced out of the market • Many can offer niche services I urge all FAPSA members to seriously consider the proposed CSo. FS Small Business Division

I will be glad to chat to FAPSA members prior to this afternoon’s AGM Thank you for listening