Scotland’s world-leading forensic service has been rocked by claims of bullying and toxic workplace culture.
Staff blew the whistle, warning of harassment, discrimination and bullying in an employee survey.
Forensic services director, Fiona Douglas, has vowed to reinforce “zero tolerance” in a bid to reassure the 600-strong workforce over their concerns.
The news comes in a new report to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) which delivers and manages forensic services, as well as being the official oversight body for Police Scotland.
It comes after management were first alerted two years ago to staff concerns, when an internal survey raised many of the same issues.
Ms Douglas says reports of bullying, harassment and discrimination “continue to be unacceptable and a priority for action”.
She said: “Staff also told us that workload pressures, change management and support for wellbeing continue to affect how it feels to work in Forensic Services.
“These issues are complex but the survey provides valuable insight into where targeted action is needed.”
Now chiefs face a scramble to fix the toxic culture after vowing to deliver a speedy action plan.
Ms Douglas says an improvement plan “clearly linking actions to survey feedback” will be presented to the SPA Forensic Services Committee in May.
She added: “We will continue to strengthen leadership behaviours, ensuring positive changes in senior management engagement are sustained and felt consistently.
“We will reinforce our zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, and discrimination, with clear reporting routes and appropriate support.
“We will support local teams and managers to have meaningful conversations about their results and agree practical, local actions and maintain open and transparent communication, with regular updates on what is changing as a result of the feedback.”
SPA Forensic Services’ scientists and staff operate from five main laboratory sites in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and at the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh, with Scene Examination teams based throughout Scotland.
Bullying claims were previously highlighted in a 2024 survey. With Ms Douglas saying the number of staff reporting they had experienced some form of harassment, bullying or discrimination was “of particular concern”.
In a report, she said they would be taking forward work with trade unions and members of staff from across Forensic Services to drive improvements.
Ms Douglas added: “This will involve a substantial amount of work, as it will require significant cultural change to make improvements, including with the poor senior leadership engagement highlighted.”
Systemic problems with bullying and harassment form part of wider, long-standing and persistent concerns about workplace culture within Scotland’s police and forensic services.
Police Scotland has been dogged by persistent “boys’ club” culture claims, with high-profile payouts and allegations of misogyny, bullying and sexual assault across the force.
A deep dive report following an independent review confirmed a “toxic boys’ club” culture operating within Police Scotland, revealing widespread sexism, misogyny and abuse of women – with senior male officers accused of normalising inappropriate behaviour.
The report noted an “implicit understanding” that women who raise concerns risked “professional retaliation, including stalled promotions”.
Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors was suspended in December over bullying allegations, with the matter referred to the Police Investigations and Reviews Commissioner (Pirc).
Ms Douglas said: “The latest staff survey results for Forensic Services show an overall improvement compared with the previous results from 2024, which is encouraging.
“The results also reinforce where more needs to be done which will inform improvements implemented in the year ahead.
“We want to ensure that we have an environment where everyone can be at their best, valuing our differences and ensuring that how we work includes everyone.
“As Director this remains my number one priority.”
The Forensic Services Staff Survey Working Group’s Improvement Plan will be presented to the SPA’s Forensic Services Committee in May.
The People Committee is due to review the next steps arising from the staff surveys of Police Scotland, the SPA and Forensic Services.
