The research concluded that most of the broad structural arrangements suggested in 1987 by Touche Ross for the external provision of forensic science and the management of scientific support within police agencies have been implemented. However, many detailed recommendations have not been implemented or have been implemented only partially. Police agencies vary widely in the numbers of scenes-of-crime officers relative to the numbers of police officers and the numbers of reported crimes. Spending on external forensic science services also varies widely. A widespread lack of awareness about forensic science exists in the police service; the police use forensic science almost entirely reactively rather than proactively. Other issues include the absence of sustained research, lack of quality assurance for work done by external suppliers, and inadequate assessment of effectiveness of forensic work. Figures, tables, footnotes, appended background information, and 18 references