Report - Scottish Police Authority – PIRC/00138/24
The Complaint
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant provided Police Scotland with a number of documents for fingerprint analysis by the Scottish Police Authority’s Forensic Services.
We have reviewed the handling of a single complaint, namely that:
- Between June and December 2023, Forensic Services in the Scottish Police Authority failed to provide the applicant with fingerprint analysis results.
The Scottish Police Authority's Decision
The Scottish Police Authority did not provide a determination on the applicant’s complaint.
Our Findings
We have found that the Scottish Police Authority did not handle the applicant’s complaint to a reasonable standard.
Consequently, we have made a recommendation and identified four learning points for the Scottish Police Authority.
In summary, we have recommended that the Scottish Police Authority now records an appropriate determination in relation to this complaint. In addition, we have asked the Scottish Police Authority to implement four learning points in relation to record-keeping in complaint files, and ensuring that final response letters to complainers meet the provisions of the statutory guidance that we issue to all policing bodies operating in Scotland.
Our recommendation and learning points should be implemented by the Scottish Police Authority within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies: Scottish Police Authority