FP-COMPLEX Response Accepted

Complex marks examination

Recommendation

The SPSA should develop a process to ensure that complex marks (such as Y7 and QI2 Ross) are treated differently. The examination should be undertaken by three suitably qualified examiners who reach their conclusions independently and make notes at each stage of their examination. The substantive basis for the examiners' conclusions should be reviewed. The reasons why they have reached their respective conclusions should be explored and recorded, even where they agree that an identification can be made.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
Government response: Accepted. No public evidence of delivery has been found.
Sources
Government response (2011-12-15): Accepted Text: Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill responded on 15 December 2011, the day after the Fingerprint Inquiry report was published. The Scottish Government accepted the inquiry's recommendations. MacAskill stated: "I am confident that the recommendations from this Inquiry will further enhance these service
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by baseline-data-v1 on 12 Sep 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify from published sources alone. The evidence above reflects policy commitments rather than measured outcomes.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
15 Dec 2011

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill responded on 15 December 2011, the day after the Fingerprint Inquiry report was published. The Scottish Government accepted the inquiry's recommendations. MacAskill stated: "I am confident that the recommendations from this Inquiry will further enhance these services." The Scottish Police Services Authority began drawing up an action plan to implement improvements in time for integration into the new Police Scotland in 2013.

Note: Scottish Government responded with a single acceptance statement. Per-recommendation responses were not published separately.
Published Evidence

Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Confirmed Completed
31 Dec 2016
Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services Other

Processes developed for examination of complex marks by three suitably qualified examiners reaching conclusions independently, with notes at each stage and recorded reasons. Implemented within UKAS-accredited practice.

View detailed findings

Complex mark examination procedures now form part of the standard operating procedures within SPA Forensic Services. UKAS accreditation ensures independent verification processes are maintained.

SPA Forensic Services Quality assurance View Source
Source
Inquiry Fingerprint Inquiry
Report The Fingerprint Inquiry Report 14 Dec 2011
View Source
Responsible Bodies
SPA Forensic Services Primary
Themes & Tags
Clinical negligence harms learning Complex Marks Methodology Verification
Recommendation age 14.7 yrs
Last formal update 5385 days ago