Firm aims to be major player

A WARRINGTON-based forensic science service provider, Key Forensic Services Ltd, looks set to become a major player in the UK’s forensic services market for the provision of DNA profiling.
The company has received a £65,000 “Grants for Business Investment” from the North West Development Agency (NWDA).
The company was formed in 2005 to provide forensic services to the UK’s law enforcement agencies, to take advantage of the structural changes taking place in the forensic services market.
Originally founded in the Midlands, the company also has a number of facilities across the country but is making a significant investment at its Warrington site, as a result of the NWDA grant.
With the grant, the firm will significantly increase its capacity to provide DNA profiling services. DNA is a powerful forensic tool in the investigation and detection of crime, the demand for which is very high.
The grant will be used to install and equip specialist laboratories that will be able to provide a range of services in addition to DNA profiling, which is not currently offered from the Warrington site.
The expansion will initially create eight full time jobs.
Mark Hughes, executive director of Economic Development at the NWDA said:
“The UK’s current market size for forensic services is approximately £230 million per annum and it is anticipated that in excess of £111 million new contacts will be available over the next 12 months from the National Framework Agreement.
“Without the Grant for Business Investment, the company would continue to increase its sub-contracted DNA work to a company outside the North West, rather than take advantage of the skilled workforce locally available.”