Met forensic scientist charged with eight counts of mishandling evidence in police lab

A MEMBER of police staff from the Met’s Forensic Services has been charged with eight counts of misconduct in public office between 2009 and 2018.

The charges relate to an investigation by officers from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards into the suspected mishandling of evidence within the Met’s forensic laboratory.

Ursula Collins, 41, was charged today, Wednesday, January 27.

She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, February 16.

The Met referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in 2018 who directed that a local investigation be carried out by the DPS.

Ursula Collins is currently suspended from duty.

Thirty three criminal investigations were reviewed as a result of connected concerns identified with forensic evidence during the investigation.

A Met Police spokesman told Essex News and Investigations: "An internal review was conducted and remedial action taken where necessary.

"As a result, police are not aware that any criminal proceedings were jeopardised.“