Streamlined Forensic Reporting - A Word of Warning

Rhys Rosser • April 11, 2023

The Police and Crown Prosecution Service are increasingly relying on Streamlined Forensic Reports, but it's important not to simply accept these at face value.

Streamlined Forensic Reports were introduced as a means to expedite criminal proceedings. They are essentially a summary of findings i.e. that there is a DNA match to a suspect or that there is evidence of a bodily fluid. Often, they will not contain any statistical analysis as to the accuracy of findings.


An SFR/1 is not a witness statement nor an expert’s report, which would require the level of detail specified in the Criminal Procedure Rules (CrimPR r19.3(3)). An SFR/1 does not contain an expert’s declaration which would allow it to be compliant with Part 19. Where the SFR1 is not agreed, the process set out in in CrimPR 19.3(2) must be followed. That provides that the defence must serve a response stating which, if any, of the expert’s conclusions are admitted and which are disputed.


There are only a small number of organisations which are authorised to prepare streamlined forensic reports:

  • Eurofins Forensic Services
  • Key Forensic Services
  • Forensic Access Ltd
  • Metropolitan Police Laboratory
  • Merseyside Police
  • South Wales Police
  • West Midlands Police


An SFR/1 can only be admissible where it is agreed by the Defence. If it is not agreed, then it is necessary to raise a ‘real issue’ in respect of the SFR. This will then lead to an SFR/2 being prepared which is a fuller report and sets out the approach taken.


SFRs are regularly used in firearms and cases involving sexual offences. They can be relied upon to establish identification as well as toxicology results. As such, they can be central evidence in criminal cases.


In Hunt v CPS [2018] EWHC 3341 (Admin) it was confirmed that an SFR can only be admitted if it is agreed by the Defence.


In particular cases, it can be necessary to obtain the underlying data pack and instruct a defence expert, especially if the evidence relied upon is particularly crucial to a case.

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