Most police forces fail to meet fingerprint evidence standards

UK forensic science regulator warns of shortcomings that could cause cases to collapse

Less than 10% of police forces have met basic quality standards for fingerprint evidence, the government's forensic science regulator has warned.

All UK forces were ordered three years ago to ensure their laboratories met international standards for analysing prints found at crime scenes. But only three forces have complied, with almost every force missing a deadline set by the regulator to gain accreditation by November.