Forensic Services

Request Number: FOI/16655

Category: Human Resources - Equality and Diversity of Officers and Staff

Subject: Forensic Services

Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We do not however hold information in relation to Question 3 below.  We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which we have followed in responding to your request.

Request
Please provide the information set out below in relation to staff whose primary role is within forensic-related departments, including but not limited to crime scene investigation, forensic science laboratories, quality/R&D, and associated support functions. Snapshot date
Please provide data based on the latest available headcount snapshot for the most recently completed year-end prior to the date this request is received. If a year-end snapshot is not held, please use the nearest available date and state the date used.

Question 1
Workforce size (counts only)

a) Overall workforce - For the forensic services/CSI unit, please provide
- Total headcount
- Total FTE (if held)

b) Headcount (and FTE if held) by role group - Using the closest equivalent groupings you already use, please provide headcount (and FTE if held) mapped where possible to the following categories:
- CSI/SOCO/Crime Scene Investigator
- Crime Scene Manager/Supervisor
- Reporting Scientist/ Laboratory Officer/ Forensic Apprentice
- Police officers with forensic responsibilities
- Forensic submissions/case submission/evidence management / office-based forensic support
- Quality/technical support
- Management/leadership within forensic services
- Administrative/business support within forensic services
- Other

Answers 1a and 1b
 

Question 2
Workforce demographics (aggregated, low-risk) For the same unit and snapshot date, please provide aggregated headcount totals only (no individual-level data) by role group where possible, or at unit level if role-level breakdown would risk disclosure
a) Sex (as recorded in your HR system)
b) Age band (using your standard age bands)
c) Ethnicity (using your standard ethnicity reporting categories)

Please also provide aggregated counts for any other Equality, Diversity and Inclusion characteristics that you routinely publish in workforce statistics (for example disability status or gender identity), where disclosure is possible.
To minimise any risk of identification, I am not seeking any breakdown by named teams, locations, or individuals; please apply your standard statistical disclosure control measures and indicate where they have been used, including suppressing or aggregating any cell containing fewer than five individuals (for example by reporting “<5” or combining categories into “Other”).

Answers 2a and 2b

Answer 2c
White - 129
Other - 1
Not disclosed - 1

Question 3
Pay gap metrics (metrics only, not raw pay)
Provide the latest gender and ethnicity pay gap metrics for staff in forensic services/CSI unit, using your standard methodology (mean/median pay gaps, bonus gaps). If not held at unit level, please confirm.

Answer 3
In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does not hold information in relation to Question 3. Enquiries made in relation to your request failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.

We have consulted with various business areas and can confirm that PSNI do not hold this information.

Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information in relation to Question 3.              

Please note the Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of access to recorded information held by public authorities. It does not require an authority to create new information, give legal advice, or provide explanations or opinions.