Forensic Services staff 20/2026
FOI Reference: 20/2026
Request
Please provide the information set out below in relation to staff whose primary role is within forensic-related departments, including but not limited to crime scene investigation, forensic science laboratories, quality/R&D, and associated support functions.
I am aware that some EDI data for the whole force has been published (most recently in March 2025), including a breakdown by broad staff categories. However, this published data does not provide sufficient detail for forensic services, and I am therefore requesting the latest available workforce and EDI data specific to forensic staff, including the additional detail outlined below.
Snapshot date
Please provide data based on the latest available headcount snapshot for the most recently completed year-end prior to the date this request is received. If a year-end snapshot is not held, please use the nearest available date and state the date used.
Definitions
Forensic services/CSI unit refers to staff whose substantive post (or cost centre / department code) sits within the force function responsible for crime scene investigation, fingerprints, forensic submissions/management, and forensic quality management (often titled Forensic Services, CSI, Scenes of Crime, or similar).
1. Workforce size (counts only)
1a) Overall workforce
For the forensic services/CSI unit, please provide:
Total headcount
Total FTE (if held)
1b) Headcount (and FTE if held) by role group
Using the closest equivalent groupings you already use, please provide headcount (and FTE if held) mapped where possible to the following categories:
CSI/SOCO/Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Manager/Supervisor
Reporting Scientist/ Laboratory Officer/ Forensic Apprentice
Police officers with forensic responsibilities
Forensic submissions/case submission/evidence management / office-based forensic support
Quality/technical support
Management/leadership within forensic services
Administrative/business support within forensic services
Other
Where any specific job title or subgroup contains fewer than 5 individuals, please combine it into a broader category to protect anonymity.
2. Workforce demographics (aggregated, low-risk)
For the same unit and snapshot date, please provide aggregated headcount totals only (no individual-level data) by role group where possible, or at unit level if role-level breakdown would risk disclosure:
2a) Sex (as recorded in your HR system)
2b) Age band (using your standard age bands)
2c) Ethnicity (using your standard ethnicity reporting categories)
Please also provide aggregated counts for any other Equality, Diversity and Inclusion characteristics that you routinely publish in workforce statistics (for example disability status or gender identity), where disclosure is possible.
To minimise any risk of identification, I am not seeking any breakdown by named teams, locations, or individuals; please apply your standard statistical disclosure control measures and indicate where they have been used, including suppressing or aggregating any cell containing fewer than five individuals (for example by reporting "<5" or combining categories into "Other").
3. Pay gap metrics (metrics only, not raw pay)
Provide the latest gender and ethnicity pay gap metrics for staff in forensic services/CSI unit, using your standard methodology (mean/median pay gaps, bonus gaps). If not held at unit level, please confirm.
Format and handling
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-
Response Q1(a)
1a) 68
Response Q1(b)
Management – 5
Quality – 3
Scientific Support – 19
Crime Scene Investigation – 16
Digital Forensics – 19
Collision Investigation – 6
Response Q2(a)
Female: 40
Male:28
Response Q2(b)
Under 26: 8
26-40: 29
41-55: 22
Over 55: 9
Response Q2(c)
White:English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/ British: 37
Unknown: 31
Not Disabled: 36
Disabled: 2
Prefer not to say: 1
Unknown: 29
Response Q3
We haven’t published any ethnicity pay gap metrics for snapshot date 31/03/2025.
Our gender pay gap data for staff in forensic services/CSI unit (on snapshot date 31/03/2025) is as follows:
|
Staff – Hourly Rate |
Mean |
Median |
|
Female |
£19.51 |
£18.16 |
|
Male |
£22.00 |
£22.19 |
|
|
Female |
Male |
F% |
M% |
|
Upper Quartile |
6 |
9 |
40 |
60 |
|
Upper Middle Quartile |
10 |
5 |
67 |
33 |
|
Lower Middle Quartile |
9 |
6 |
60 |
40 |
|
Lower Quartile |
11 |
4 |
73 |
27 |
Staff Female - 36
Staff Male - 24
Lowest Hrly Rate - Staff £8.59
Highest Hrly Rate - Staff £36.58
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 24/02/2026)
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