Disclosure Manual: Chapter 23 - Disclosure of Unused Forensic Science Material
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This chapter provides guidance on the disclosure of unused material held by forensic science providers to the police and prosecutors. It outlines the obligations under common law and the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) regarding the preservation and reporting of forensic evidence. Additionally, it sets forth responsibilities for police officers, forensic scientists, and prosecutors in handling and disclosing this material throughout the legal process.
Key points
- Unused forensic material must be disclosed to the prosecutor by forensic science providers.
- Prosecutors have ongoing obligations to review the disclosure of unused material to the defense.
- Police must retain and record any relevant information received relating to unused material.
- Forensic scientists must document and retain material relevant to the investigation and case outcomes.
- The FSP must prepare and update an index of all retained material for police review.
- Defense requests for access to unused material must be managed according to CPIA guidelines.
Public-interest factors
- Transparency in legal proceedings
- Ensuring fair trials
- Proper management of forensic evidence
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.