A significant appointment has been announced today which will provide the leadership for the new Forensic Services business area of the Scottish Police Services Authority, due to come into full effect on 01 April 2007.
Tom Nelson (C Chem MRSC) will take up the post of Director with immediate effect. Tom has been heavily involved in shaping the new forensic service over the past few years. He has previously worked with the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory and was Head of the Lothian and Borders Police Forensic Laboratory, before leading the work to establish Scotland's Forensic Services.
David Mulhern, Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Services Authority said:
"This is an exciting time in the history of the Scottish Criminal Justice System as we establish a new national forensic service. This new service will pull together all our existing forensic and fingerprint capability. We will also integrate Scene of Crime Officers, placing us at the forefront of evidence capture and analysis. By making these significant changes we will provide, for the first time a fully integrated national service from crime scene to court".
"Tom has been involved in this area of work for many years and latterly has been committed to developing the future shape of this new organisation. I am confident that his experience and expertise will be a huge asset not only in leading the Scottish Forensic Services but also to the wider Scottish Police Services Authority and Criminal Justice System".
Tom Nelson, Director of Forensic Services commented:
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this new and exciting organisation and to continue the work I have been closely involved with over recent years. By bringing all aspects of evidence capture and analysis together we will provide a national approach that aims to deliver a world class service within the Scottish Criminal Justice System".
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS:
- Tom Nelson has been a Forensic Scientist for 25 years. 15 of those years were spent with the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory. He started work in chemistry but later developed an expertise in fire investigation. He also worked extensively in the paint, glass and general chemistry departments.
- David Mulhern is the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Services Authority. He has 28 years experience in the police service and was interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Services Authority since September 2005. He was previously Deputy Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Assistant Chief Constable of the British Transport Police.
- The Director of Forensic Services appointment is effective immediately.
- The Scottish Police Services Authority was brought into being as a legal entity on 01 January 2007 to ensure all necessary preparations can be taken forward for the Scottish Police Services Authority to assume its full statutory powers and functions on 01 April 2007.
- The new Scottish Forensic Services will include all existing police forensic laboratories, fingerprint bureaux and scene of crime examination teams.
- The Director of Forensic Services will be a full time employee of the Scottish Police Services Authority and will be paid a starting salary of £80,000.