The Home Office Scientific Development Branch - HOSDB (Formally: Police Scientific Development Branch) was a Branch of the Home Office in the United Kingdom which provided Scientific research into new technology that could be used to fight crime.
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Abbreviation | HOSDB |
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Formation | Unknown |
Dissolved | Unknown |
Legal status | Government-owned company |
Purpose | Integrated forensic science for English and Welsh criminal investigations |
Location |
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Membership | Scientific Development |
Parent organization | Home Office |
Affiliations | UK Police Forces |
History
HOSDB supports the Home Office's strategic aims through the effective application of science and technology. HOSDB also provides technical support for the UK police service and Security Services. HOSDB has two sites in the UK, Sandridge, Hertfordshire and Langhurst, West Sussex. The work of the HOSDB involved hi-tech research into countering terrorism, technology to fight crime, securing our borders and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.(Sandridge Council Minutes} Their work sometimes involved attending incidents such as the explosions in London in 2006 in order to assess structural impacts, etc. There are 250 staff comprising of 200 scientists and engineers and 50 support staff, half of which live in and around Sandridge, making them a large local employer.