In May 2008, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill announced that he had approved the proposal from the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) for a newly built forensic science facility at Dundee.
As part of its original proposal, SPSA had set out plans for merging the existing Aberdeen and Dundee forensic laboratory services and creating a strong new centre of excellence within the new Dundee facility.
In granting his approval the Justice Secretary asked SPSA to look again at the various issues raised around SPSA's proposed closure of the Aberdeen forensic laboratory and to engage in a fresh consultation process with all interested parties.
We have been engaged since September in face to face meetings with all the key stakeholders to hear their concerns at first hand.
This week we have also published a document capturing ten of the key questions that have been raised as a result of the meetings and dialogue so far, and in answering them, sets out publicly the business and scientific arguments that SPSA is making on the need for change.
As the document makes clear we are seeking reaction and comment on both the range of questions covered and the responses given. This will help to shape the actions needed to reassure stakeholders and also the content of further advice requested by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
Click here to download a copy of the Q&A document Delivering Forensic Services to North and North East Scotland