Police and Crime Commissioner invests in new CSI facility

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has invested in a specialist new forensic facility to support crime scene investigations, forensic analysis, and evidence collection.

The Commissioner and the Chief Constable visited the new site the Police and Fire Strategic Headquarters in Eastleigh earlier this week.

The force’s scientific services department and CSIs, work in the new modern, fit-for-purpose building, alongside the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and Serious Collision Unit – teams which investigate complex road traffic collisions.

The building has been named after Edmond Locard, a French criminologist and a pioneer in forensic science who became known as the ‘Sherlock Holmes of France’. He formulated the basic principle of forensic science, that ‘every contact leaves a trace’.

The new facility provides specialist teams with state of the art forensic labs and crime scene investigation kits for collecting physical evidence such as blood, hair, fibres, and soil. The laboratories will assist officers with initial DNA, fingerprint analysis and chemical examination, and a new digital forensics lab allows officers to analyse computers, mobile phones, and other digital evidence.

The building has been purpose built to ensure it meets the standards set by the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR).

The Commissioner and the Chief Constable met with the Head of Forensic Services Sam Howard, and the Head of Criminal Justice Matt Bourne to be given a tour of the building.

Determined to ensure Hampshire & Isle of Wight are at the forefront of policing, PCC Donna Jones, said: “This new forensic facility is a significant investment in the future of policing for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. By providing forensic teams with cutting-edge tools and a purpose-built environment, I am enabling the force to operate at its very best. This modern, fit-for-purpose building will enhance the force’s ability to investigate and solve crimes, ensuring that officers and staff have the tools to uphold the highest standards of justice.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton, said: “High-quality investigations rely on the ability to gather, analyse, and interpret evidence effectively. This new facility is a major boost to our capability, providing our forensic and crime scene investigation teams with state-of-the-art equipment to support the thorough investigation of crimes. With advanced labs and digital forensics resources, we are better equipped to solve complex cases, secure convictions, and deliver justice for victims, while maintaining the highest standards of forensic science.”