Hi-tech Crime Unit review (FOI)

Request

The States of Jersey Police Hi-tech Crime Unit are said to conduct a “continuous review of processes, engagement with the UK Forensic Regulator, other UK police forces and Non Home Office forces.” The States of Jersey Police Annual Report 2017 refers to recommendations of an “efficiency review of the Hi-Tech crime Unit” in respect of that review:

A

Who conducted the review of the efficiency of the Hi-tech Crime Unit?

B

What were the recommendations of the Efficiency review of the Hi-Tech Crime Unit?

C

Is the report available to the public?

Response

A

The efficiency review was part of the States-wide ‘Lean’ programme and was intended to look at efficiencies of processes, from collection of evidence that requires examination through the recording of that evidence and its delivery to the Hi-tech Crime unit (HTCU), then afterwards, the return of the evidence to the property store, whilst maintaining evidential integrity. It was not a review of the technical procedures undertaken by the HTCU.

The review was conducted internally by trained States of Jersey Police staff who were, however, external to the HTCU.

B

The review identified stages in the processes that caused unnecessary delays to the processing of evidential material, this in turn caused delays in the criminal justice process. The report identified efficiencies in the processes that allowed streamlining to occur and ensure exhibits were presented for examination in the most effective and efficient manner.

C

This report covers internal processes and is not intended for publication.