RTS Update on the Manchester Incident

In January 2017 RTS discovered alleged manipulation of quality data within its laboratory processes in Manchester. The matter was reported immediately to the Police, The Forensic Science Regulator, The United Kingdom Accreditation (UKAS) Service and the Home Office. RTS acted as the whistle blower.

RTS are new to the forensic arena and in establishing their capability employed staff with employment history from other accredited laboratories, the Forensic Science Service and UKAS. RTS complied fully with all UKAS accreditation requirements and in numerous inspections by UKAS, when it appears manipulation was underway, nothing untoward was found.

It now appears that manipulation of data also occurred at a now defunct company, who also had accreditation from UKAS. Some of these staff subsequently moved to RTS and now are subject to active police investigation.

RTS have acted with absolute integrity in this matter. By acting as the whistle-blower RTS have set in train a process to review and improve forensic processes across the UK

Current Retesting & Funding

Following the assessment of alleged data manipulation RTS volunteered that it would be unable to stand over the forensic results of approximately 10,500 cases. The National Police Chiefs Council are coordinating a retesting programme, and Randox are meeting the like-for-like costs – estimated to be £2.5m. To date some 4,000 samples have been resubmitted for testing, 2,300 have been identified as not requiring testing and 4,200 remain to be retested. Retesting should be complete by the end of 2019.