DUNDEE WILL be the home of a new multi-million-pound police forensics laboratory if plans before the Scottish Government get the go-ahead.

The purpose-built lab, which has been proposed by the Scottish Police Services Authority, is intended to save money and improve service by replacing two existing labs in Dundee and Aberdeen.

In a written answer to a parliamentary question, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the proposal would be judged on its impact on staff, the service provided to police forces, and on potential efficiencies in and improvements to the service.

He said, “Following a facilities review of police forensic science, SPSA has recently submitted a business case, for approval by the Scottish Government, proposing the merger of the laboratories currently situated in Aberdeen and Dundee to a purpose-built facility in Dundee.

“The Scottish Government recognises the need for investment in police forensic science facilities and is currently assessing the SPSA business case.”

A spokesperson for the SPSA, which was set up last year to save money by centralising police IT systems, forensic science and training, last night said she could not go into detail about the proposal because it was under consideration by the Scottish Government.

A Scottish Government spokesman would only confirm that the proposal was under consideration and could not estimate how long it would take to reach a decision.

Dundee is already home to the Scottish DNA database and has lobbied for an extension to its forensics department for some time. A 2005 estimate suggested the centre would cost around £13 million.

The Courier first reported that Dundee would be the most likely site of the new lab in December, after Tayside Police’s Chief Constable John Vine and former Lord Provost Mervyn Rolfe joined the SPSA’s board last April.