Plans to build a new toxicology laboratory for Scotland are moving forward thanks to more than £6 million funding from the Scottish government.

When complete, the centre will provide state-of-the-art testing capabilities for police and prosecutors. It will be run by the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services (SPA FS), providing vital sample testing to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

The funding also enables the transition of post mortem toxicology forensic services from the University of Glasgow to the SPA FS. Highly specialist staff will transfer over to the new unit when it opens next year, securing their skills in this specialist area.

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Today's funding announcement signals the start of a procurement process which will see the creation of a new facility in the Central Belt run by SPA FS.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: "I welcome this investment to provide a new state-of-the-art facility which will allow essential post mortem toxicology services to continue, ensuring that the COPFS continues to meet its obligations to investigate all sudden, unexplained deaths.

"This investment also enables significant operational efficiencies to be delivered with the new service benefitting from specialist scientific instruments and supplies in a purpose built laboratory."

SPA Director of Forensic Services Tom Nelson added: "We welcome this investment by the Scottish Government to support the running of the Post Mortem Toxicology Service by SPA Forensic Services from December 2022.

"This additional service will be delivered from a new laboratory with the highly-skilled staff currently working at the University of Glasgow supported by colleagues in Forensic Services SPA.

"SPA Forensic Services will work with key partners to deliver an accredited Post Mortem Toxicology Service which will meet the needs of the people of Scotland."