- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 17 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3412 by Cathy Jamieson on 12 November 2003, whether it was the initial identification of the scene of crime mark or a subsequent verification that was made on less than the standard of 16 points.
Answer
Both the initialidentification of the scene of crime mark and the subsequent verification weremade on less than the standard of 16 points. As indicated in the answer toquestion S2W-3412 on 12 November 2003, because of this, the case was referred to the qualityassurance manager who confirmed the identification. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 November 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of Her Majesty's Government's proposal to introduce a Bill to set up child trust funds.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues,including the implications for devolved matters in Scotland ofits legislative programme. This contact reflects the approach, set out in DevolutionGuidance Note 1 in accordance with the principles set out in the Memorandum ofUnderstanding, that the administrations normally consult each other from anearly stage on the development of relevant legislative proposals.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3539 by Cathy Jamieson on 18 November 2003, when the review will now report and whether the Executive will consider removing control over forensic services from police forces to a national forensic service.
Answer
The review, which is beingled by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, isexpected to report in the New Year. We will consider the future provision of police forensic science services in the light of that report.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3412 by Cathy Jamieson on 12 November 2003, on what basis the quality assurance manager of the bureau confirmed the identification of the fingerprint.
Answer
The quality assurance managerconfirmed the identification in accordance with the operating procedures of thebureau. These procedures stipulate that an identification made by an expert andindependently verified by two other experts on less than the existing standardof 16 characteristics is forwarded to the bureau quality assurance manager. Thequality assurance manager will satisfy himself as to the integrity of theprocesses and procedures followed in the identification and verificationprocess, confirm the individualisation of the mark and review the circumstancesand seriousness of the case. On being satisfied on these matters he will makerecommendations to the director, or if unavailable the deputy director, of ScottishCriminal Record Office.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it, and its agencies, use to determine whether legal aid should be provided for defendants requesting independent assessment of fingerprinting evidence presented by the Scottish Criminal Record Office.
Answer
The granting or refusal ofcriminal legal aid is entirely a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board insummary criminal cases and for the courts in solemn criminal cases. Scottish ministersare expressly prohibited by the terms of section 3 of the Legal Aid (Scotland)Act 1986 from intervening or giving guidance to the board about applicationsfor legal aid.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place to ensure that the introduction of non-numeric fingerprinting is done professionally and can meet international standards of quality and judicial reliability.
Answer
A move to a non-numericstandard, in line with international practice, requires careful preparation,including training of those involved, to ensure that evidence given is of thenecessary quality. This preparation is being taken forward by the Associationof Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS). The adoption of such a standard inScotland is a matter for ACPOS and the Scottish Fingerprint Service, but the Lord Advocatewould require to be satisfied that he would be able to rely on fingerprintevidence presented using that standard before such evidence was led in criminalproceedings.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 05 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what parts of the fire service integrated risk management plan guidance framework are being implemented; in which fire services the framework is being partially, or wholly, implemented; what consultations took place prior to implementation; what the estimated cost of implementation is, and what its plans are for future implementation of, and consultations about, the framework.
Answer
Fire Service Circular 4/2003dated 3 April 2003, issued by HM Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland, advisedfire authorities that the Executive, as part of its proposals for developing theservice, supported the introduction of a risk-based method of intervention throughthe development of integrated risk management plans (IRMP). A further fire servicecircular, 7/2003, dated 8 September 2003, published draft guidance on the production of IRMPs.The development of the guidance was aided by consultation seminars for all thekey stakeholder interests conducted during 2003 outlining the IRMP planningprocess and timescale for action. Comments on this guidance were sought by 1 December 2003. Responsesto the consultation are being assessed prior to re-issuing a revised version ofcircular 7/2003. The inspectorate are currently visiting brigades to assesswhat preliminary progress has been made on implementation. It is too soon toassess the financial implications of the IRMP approach.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 27 November 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations took place between the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Criminal Record Office and the Justice Department prior to the introduction of non-numeric fingerprint evidence.
Answer
A non-numeric standard offingerprint evidence has not yet been adopted in Scotland. A non-numeric implementationgroup, led by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland,has planned a series of information forums with all stakeholders in the criminaljustice system prior to a decision to adopt the non-numeric standard in Scotland.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 01 December 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 16 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service announced the introduction of non-numeric fingerprinting evidence; who was consulted; whether it sought the Parliament's approval for the introduction of such evidence and, if so, when; what the definition is of non-numeric fingerprinting evidence, and what international standards have been set.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4511. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.A non-numeric standard offingerprint evidence has not yet been adopted in Scotland. The adoption of sucha standard is a matter for the Scottish Fingerprint Service and the Associationof Chief Police Officers in Scotland, although the Lord Advocate would require to besatisfied that he would be entitled to rely on fingerprint evidence presentedusing that standard before such evidence is led in criminal proceedings.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of Her Majesty's Government's draft Corruption Bill.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues,including the implications for devolved matters in Scotland ofits legislative programme. This contact reflects the approach, set out inDevolution Guidance Note 1 in accordance with the principles set out in theMemorandum of Understanding, that the administrations normally consult eachother from an early stage on the development of relevant legislative proposals.