What's peoples view on the current state on the market?
Do you think the Forces will start getting rid of their forensic capabilities and outsource, resulting in a stronger commercial market? Or, forced to make do with what they have, stop out sourcing, employment, and increase back logs, thereby damage the commercial market?
Or, do people think our field is relativity secure, and shall remain unchanged?
It would seem logical to me that initially while decisions are being made outsourcing would temporarily cease or be cut back but the in house capabilities, by the same token, would not be increased. This would then build a backlog, that would then need to be outsourced even if the inhouse capabilities are being grown internally (due to the time involved to do this).
I cant see it making any sense to get rid of force's Forensic capability, but then I can't see these being able to grow overnight to a point where they are more cost effective and a better solution to outsourcing. Maybe we will just see outsourcing to keep backlogs at an acceptable level - 6 months 1 year ???
Thats the long way of saying I have no idea. Its a great question though and I think its definitely on everyone's mind at the moment whether you work in LE or commercial sector.
I agree with 96hz in that forces wont get rid of their forensic capability.
I think due to budget restrictions the outsourcing will stop for now. Most forces will then have to look at what forensic work is essential and what can be done using traditional policing. This would clearly have a knock-on effect on the commercial market for the short term at least.
Good question about current market trends.
From what I have heard and seen the outsourcer marketplace has already been hit, with more to come. You can see by all the Google ads on the increase. I posted here at FF and at my webblog in March 2010 that Kent Constabulary were going "insourcing" and it wasn't difficult to work out why that was happening.
The marketplace conditions also raise questions about the intending implementation of the Forensic Regulator and ISO17025 etc campaign? There is nothing veiled in my comments nor is it criticism, merely they are observatory.
I have seen three recessions in my life, thus far
- The one in the 1970s property market crash, three elections under Labour in one year and the value of the sterling dropped, inflation soared, strikes, power cuts etc. The effects lasted approximately 6 years.
- The double whammy in the 1980s, the third world debt and the banking crisis, Black Wednesday when Pound withdraws from the ECU. Inflation soared and the market took from 1989 to 1997 to recover just as Labour came to power.
- The current recession…well you all know the story. I predict this one will take 6 years also.
The major factor that will grip people in this market as any other markets will be "fear" and it can be powerful, as it can be emotive. However, it is a state of mind that each of you will need and the knowledge that the recession will come to an end. If I can give you any encouragement then it is to embrace the new opportunities that are out there.
I have set up the Student Conference to shine a light as to a way forward. In fact I have some great news about that and that is an international global-player in the electronics, wireless and telecommunications industry will be there speaking and will be distributing graduate employment literature at the Conference. More news later on that.
Appreciate all your comments.
My thoughts, the forces will stop outsourcing, but will also be unable to recruit more staff. Therefore, backlogs would potentially double. But causing forensics to become even more specialised, as the only way to gain experience in the field would be through dead-man-shoes. Commercial markets will be forced to halt recruitment, potentially reduce in size.
That's my personal thoughts anyway, I could be completely wrong.
I, in part, agree with research1 to the extent that police forces will do less outsourcing and not be able to recruit.
However, the company I work for doesn't do work for LE so I don't imagine this will affect us that much, apart from maybe more competition for defence work.
I think that the LE forensic units will be expected to do more for less and their contractors will be asked to do the same.
I cant see the backlog scenario returning to those that have cleared it, rather I see triage, preview and forensic strategies being applied to submissions to make the work smarter and more effective.
That being the case, any contractor to an LE unit has a great opportunity to work with this leaner system, take the lead and avoid letting people go.
Bad news for Kent
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cry Great! I had some ambition to try a career break here in sunny Queensland to give computer forensics a go in the UK or Scotland.
I think that the LE forensic units will be expected to do more for less and their contractors will be asked to do the same.
Totally agree neddy- same scenario here.
Great! I had some ambition to try a career break here in sunny Queensland to give computer forensics a go in the UK or Scotland.
Don't give up just yet Robbo747. You wouldn't be eligible to work for UK law enforcement straight away anyway. I made the move from Queensland three years ago and after living here for three years I am finally eligible to work for the Police. That said there are plenty of other options, many more private companies and different government divisions to work for here. It's not all doom and gloom )
btw……the UK includes Scotland wink