What We Do

Who we are

Originally known as the Forensic Science Laboratory, FSI was established in 1975 to provide a scientific service to the Criminal Justice System by analysing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials. In June 2014, President Higgins extended our scope when he signed into law the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014. Under this act, FSI is named as the custodian of that database and our name was changed from Forensic Science Laboratory to Forensic Science Ireland to recognise this broader remit. In December 2019, the responsibility for the Fingerprints and Documents and Handwriting services transferred from the Garda National Technical Bureau to Forensic Science Ireland. This consolidates most laboratory- based forensic work in the state under Forensic Science Ireland.

Forensic Science Ireland is an associated office of the Department of Justice. FSI staff include seconded Garda members, scientists and analysts trained in forensic testing and reporting techniques, supported by administration professionals.

What we do

In addition to our role within the Irish justice system we have also always been conscious of our responsibility to contribute to the global knowledge base. So, while the FSI is very much a working service laboratory, our staff are encouraged to contribute to scientific conferences and publish their work.

FSI was also a founding member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) in 1995. Our members are active on all the relevant ENFSI working groups and in recent years have contributed to some of the EU funded ENFSI Monopoly projects.

Forensic Science Ireland is accredited according to ISO17025 and holds an Excellence through People certificate. In 2012 the laboratory received the Taoiseach’s award for the project “From Complaints to Compliments” in the Drugs area. In 2013 and 2014, the laboratory was awarded Calibration or Testing Laboratory of the Year by the Irish Laboratory Awards.

Today, as well as providing a forensic service to the Irish justice system. Forensic Science Ireland is involved in a number of Climate and Sustainability initiatives, across the following six areas: Energy; Water; Waste and Paper; Green Procurement; Training and Workshops and achieving “My Green Lab” certification.