Britain could be forensic science world leader, says chief scientific adviser

From being the pioneers of fingerprinting to fighting modern cybercrime, the UK must capitalise on its high standing in forensics, says Sir Mark Walport

Britain - which in the 19th century pioneered fingerprinting and in the 20th century genetic fingerprinting as crimefighting aids - could lead the world in forensic science, according to the government's chief scientific adviser.

The advance of science in almost every discipline means that forensic expertise can now go far beyond the criminal courts. It can establish whether or not a resident endangered species could block a planning application, whether high-priced single malt whisky is the real thing, whether a diamond is honestly or dishonestly trafficked, and whether antibiotics are counterfeit.