Forensic Scientist
Job Title: Forensic Scientist
Salary: The starting salary is £45,131, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £42,203 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £47,668. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Lambeth
The Met’s Directorate of Forensic Services is the largest multi-faceted forensic organisation within Policing in England and Wales, providing technical and scientific expertise in crime scene management and examination, specialist imaging, evidence recovery, exhibit analysis, fingerprint comparison and digital examination.
Forensic Services contributes significantly to making London safer through a wide range of technical and scientific expertise in order to investigate, detect and reduce crimes.
Forensic Services – Physical Forensics delivers forensic science casework, across the disciplines of Biology and Trace, Firearms, Specialist Imaging and Fingerprint Enhancement, and provision of Forensic Operational Support functions, to the MPS in support of policing objectives. Our work seeks to address investigative requirements and provide forensic evidence to the Criminal Justice System.
The range of forensic services provided by Biology and Trace includes the identification and recovery of body fluid stains and trace evidence, blood pattern analysis (both within the laboratory and at scenes of crime), submissions for DNA profiling, the assessment of clothing for damage, determining if objects form a physical fit, and the recovery and enhancement of fingerprints and footwear marks (at scenes of crime).
Our Forensic Scientists have a vital role within the nation’s largest police service. Every day, they help frontline officers to police and protect London, working to make our capital the safest global city. Today, the challenges we face are more diverse than ever, which means you will tackle varied cases while playing your part in keeping Londoners safe.
Working within our Biology & Trace team, you will complete high quality forensic casework, liaising with investigators and other contacts. Day to day, you will have oversight of a range of techniques to retrieve, record and interpret evidence – which could make or break a case. You will then collate the results and develop conclusions, recording the details in clear, well-written reports. As the main point of contact for each case, it will be up to you to implement forensic strategies, manage submissions and examinations, and establish case requirements.
The Role
Forensic Scientists report casework from both major and volume crime (that may include urgent, high profile cases) relating to a wide range of forensic evidence. Working within the Biology and Trace unit, a Forensic Scientist will act as the single point of contact and respond to related enquiries for the forensic case submissions assigned to them.
The role holder will provide expert evaluative opinion and testimony on laboratory forensic examinations to the Criminal Justice System and participate in case conferences with investigators and the Criminal Justice System.
Key Activities
Case Management & Case Progression: Manage submissions and examinations including work sourced to the external forensic providers when necessary. Forensic Scientists will ensure that any work commissioned is necessary and appropriate and will manage customer expectation and delivery of service through negotiation.
Establish the relevant requirements of laboratory casework submissions in order to prepare appropriate forensic strategies which allow Forensic Examiners to apply a range of scientific techniques and examinations to retrieve, record and interpret forensic evidence and intelligence, in order to maximise the retrieval of forensic evidence within the laboratory.
Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills. Provide clear direction to other staff. Articulate and document rationale around decision making. Accurate note taking and record keeping.
Produce forensic reports and statements that clearly describe the examinations undertaken, findings and consequent conclusions and opinions for completed casework.
Provide expert evaluative opinion and testimony on laboratory forensic examinations to the Criminal Justice System. Participate in case conferences with investigators and the Criminal Justice System.
Line Management and Supervision: undertake line management responsibility for Forensic Examiners, including performance development reviews. Supervise Forensic Examiners working under your direction.
Quality Assurance: Expected to work within the Forensic Services Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.
Ensuring compliance with ISO requirements and governance by the Forensic Science Regulator.
Problem Solving and Decision Making: Confidently challenge decisions and inappropriate behaviour, and make informed decisions based on experience and knowledge. Identify and manage risk, using data and professional judgement as required, articulating your rationale and escalating promptly when necessary.
Professionalism and Integrity: Maintain professionalism and integrity, be approachable, maintain confidentiality, and exhibit integrity in all dealings.
Forensic Scientists will ultimately make decisions and set forensic strategies that will impact on overall forensic spend. They will be accountable for examinations and decisions made on a case whilst in their possession. Being ultimately accountable to the Criminal Justice System they must demonstrate independence, impartiality and conviction in the decisions made. Any errors may result in a negative impact on the criminal justice process and ultimately the reputation of Forensic Services as well as the Metropolitan Police Service as a whole.
Competence and Continued Professional Development: The role holder will complete and maintain competency in all core reporting body fluids and through experience, skills and knowledge seek to extend and embed the breadth of further reporting competencies by expanding their skill set (e.g. Blood Pattern Analysis, Damage Assessments, Scenes). This will involve greater complexity of interpretation and evaluation of findings as well as report writing and the provision of this evidence to the Criminal Justice System, as well as undertaking peer review of the work produced by other scientists once sufficient experience has been acquired.
The role holder will be expected to keep up to date with developments within the field of forensic science.
The role holder will also be required to:
- Understand and accept the core principles set out in the Health and Safety Policy in relation to the role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities.
- Demonstrate effective visible safety leadership, understand Health and Safety policy and lead compliance within area of responsibility. Implement the principles and requirements of Health and Safety policy in day-to-day activities and within the teams you work/manage. Encourage open dialogue and feedback on safety issues
- Expected to work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.
- Provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on staff elimination databases
- Agree to abide by the MPS Standards of Conduct
- Comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service policies on Drug and Alcohol testing (substance misuse)
- May be required to have the appropriate inoculations
- Comply with security policies and mandatory training requirements
- Comply with and promote Metropolitan Police Service policies on diversity and inclusion both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others
- Understand and accept the personal responsibility to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all Met information and any intellectual property
- Successfully pass an eyesight test and possess full colour vision
- Hold the relevant security clearance: this role requires the level of CTC/RV vetting as a minimum. However, once in post you may be required to undergo further vetting at an enhanced level (should you not obtain enhanced vetting level status, this will not impact your role as a Forensic Scientist).
Forensic Scientists are expected to participate in a rostered working rota. Forensic Services provides a service 365 days a year and staff are required to work weekends and bank holidays in line with a published rota. Current core operation hours are 07:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and 08:30 to 16:30 on weekends.
If the role holder is interested in progression to report Scenes, a full DVLA manual driving licence will be required along with successful completion of an MPS driving test.
Application Process
The application process will comprise two stages to include an application and an interview. Those successful at the application sift stage will be invited to attend an interview which will include a work-sample/presentation exercise, details to be provided on the day.
Once received; your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria. Following this, your application will be sifted against the Essential Criteria, Competency and Values Framework and MPS Values (see below).
It is anticipated that training for this role will commence at the earliest September 2026.
For the application form, the following CVF competencies will be assessed all at Level 2:
We collaborate
Provide an example of a time when you have taken a collaborative approach to achieve a task. (Maximum 500 words).
We take ownership
The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to delivering services to the people of London by building more trust, higher standards and less crime.
Outline what skills and experience you have and how these would enable you to contribute to this mission in the role of a Forensic Scientist within Biology & Trace. (Maximum 500 words).
We are emotionally aware
Reforming the culture within the Met will ensure that everyone gets the inclusive, diverse and supportive workplace they expect.
Outline how you would contribute to this reform in the role of a Forensic Scientist within Biology & Trace. (Maximum 500 words).
Please note that:
Any evidence exceeding the stated word limits will be disregarded.
The interview will be assessed against the following CVF elements all at Level 2:
- We analyse critically (work-sample/presentation exercise)
- We are innovative and open minded
- We support and inspire
- We take ownership
And against the MPS Values:
Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Respect, Accountability
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button “. The application process requires a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement (max 250 words), you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 20th January 2026.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 6 weeks after the closing date.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 2 - 3 weeks after hiring manager review.