Is Privatization Inevitable for Forensic Science Laboratories?

Abstract

Given the recent global recession, many national governments have been forced to implement austerity measures, and the forensic science industry has not been immune to such changes. Proposals to privatize some or all aspects of forensic science services have been bantered about for decades, but the recent economic climate has brought this idea back to the forefront of public debates. Although privatization has been shown to have many benefits in the provision of other goods and services, the idea of privatizing forensic services has been harshly criticized by scholars and practitioners. This paper explores some of those criticisms through the lens of economics, and arguments are offered regarding why market approaches in forensic science may be more successful than might have originally been imagined under certain conditions. On the other hand, recognition of those economic forces and reaction by forensic laboratories to address inefficiencies may provide the effective delivery of forensic services that forestalls privatization efforts.

Keywords:

• Privatization
• process improvement
• economics

Notes

1. The investigative area “trace evidence” follows the definitions provided by Project FORESIGHT's LabRAT tool, in which the area includes hairs and fibers, paint, and glass; other traditional trace evidence descriptions are included.

2. Good models exist to test the “publicness” of a good or service as has been shown for other economic markets. Using an empirical median voter demand curve model such as the ones implemented in Holcombe and Sobel (1995), King (2007), or Mathers (forthcoming), it would be straightforward to estimate the degree to which forensic science services behave as private goods. If forensic services do indeed behave as private goods, the argument for public provision of these services would be weak.

3. It is important to note that cost and benefit includes not only the financial cost and benefit, but also the emotional, social, and opportunity costs and benefits of an act. Furthermore, the benefits of catching a criminal not only include the initial benefits associated with bringing justice to the original crime committed, but also with the crimes prevented that may have occurred had the criminal not been apprehended.

4. http://abullseyeview.com/an-unexpected-career-target-forensic-services-laboratory/