Forensic service job cuts feared

Union? Forensics have a union over there?!? wink

The forensics market is changing with increased competition, reduced business volumes and a higher cost base.

I agree with increased competition, but reduced business volume, and higher cost base? Wouldn't more competition indicate available volume, and decrease cost base? Just recalling some of my basic macro econ stuff… ?

In the vast majority of the world outside of the US, there is a union that covers government workers. There was one for my old position when I was a govt worker, but I never joined, because they didn't understand specialists and whilst great at representing rank and file govt admin workers, quite frankly did nothing for professionals.

Also, US models of macro economics don't work in the rest of the world and as recently shown, don't work in the US either. With newer discoveries in science, and the new equipment that comes from those discoveries, the cost of a physical sciences forensic lab would keep increasing.

I expect what they are talking about is centralisation of the more costly equipment and processes to reduce redundancy. Since clustering of computer forensics doesn't significantly reduce cost beyond a certain point, I don't expect our segment of the industry to hurt as badly.

For those that aren't aware the FSS covers all aspects of Forensic Science - so DNA, Blood Splatter etc etc, and included in that is Computer Forensics. I don't know anyone in the FSS so can't comment as to any job losses in their CF area, but just wanted to make sure everyone knew that it isn't just CF they are talking about in the article.

Since clustering of computer forensics doesn't significantly reduce cost beyond a certain point

True, but it depends how close you are to the certain point. It also depends on how appropriate your current infrastructure is compared to the amount it cost you/your organisation/the tax payer.

I think that the 'traditional' forensics services (is that the right phrase?) will be just the start. Although we may not be seeing it yet, every organisation is looking to cut it's costs.

At the end of the day, most of us in LE are an expensive but small part of a very large organisation, however important the role we play.

I think that the 'traditional' forensics services (is that the right phrase?) will be just the start. Although we may not be seeing it yet, every organisation is looking to cut it's costs.

The general terminology I've heard used is physical forensics and digital forensics.

Also, I didn't say that LEO CF isn't going to see some reductions, I just expect it will be less than other fields. After all, e-crime is still rapidly expanding, as is the use of digital devices by suspects necessitating digital forensic examination in traditional crimes.