FFW Advises Home Office on Outsourcing of National DNA Database
15 February 2006
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has advised the Home Office on the
outsourcing of the operations and maintenance of the National DNA
Database. The database will be run by the Forensic Science
Service (FSS) and will be overseen by a board which includes
representatives from the Home Office, the Association of Chief
Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities and
representatives from the Human Genetics Commission.
The National DNA Database was set up in 1995 and holds records
of the DNA of known criminals. The use of DNA records is of
enormous value to the police who are able to match DNA from the
scene of a crime with the database records in order to place
potential suspects at the scene of a crime.
Following the FSS’s transformation from a Home Office Trading
Fund to a separate, Government-owned company, on which FFW
also recently advised, it was necessary to draw up an arrangement
for the outsourcing of the operations and maintenance of the
database to the FSS. The FSS will be responsible, amongst
other things, for loading DNA profiles onto the database to search
for matches and reporting these back to police forces. This puts
their previous responsibility under a clearly contracted footing
with the Home Office for three years, commensurate with the FSS’
more commercial position in the forensic market.
The outsourcing arrangement was drafted to comply with OGC
(Office of Government Commerce) best practice and Government’s
value for money requirements. FFW negotiated the inclusion of
provisions to allow benchmarking of the service, an obligation for
the technology to be refreshed and ‘step in-step out’
rights.
Technology Partner, Paul Barton led the FFW team, assisted by
solicitor, Marcus Turle.
This project underlines FFW’s position as a leading adviser on
public sector outsourcing agreements and follows on from IT
outsourcing agreements recently negotiated by Paul for the Learning
and Skills Council and the UK Passport Service. FFW also
recently boosted its IT practice with the appointment of IT and
outsourcing expert, Simon Briskman and technology partner, David
Naylor.
Paul Barton said:
“The negotiation process was complex due to the sensitive nature
of DNA information, which created additional liability
issues. I am delighted to have delivered a robust outsourcing
arrangement which will ensure a consistent level of service for the
client, that the technology used in the provision of the service is
constantly updated and the integrity and standard of the database
is preserved.”
Charles Russell advised the FSS.
For further press information please contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive, on 020 7861 4120
Ben Girdlestone, Communications Manager, on 020 7861 4968