The golden-hour team from FRU

A rapid response unit is helping to secure crucial evidence quickly to crack down on crime across Greater Manchester.

The Forensic Response Unit (FRU), recently launched by Greater Manchester Police, is one of the first in the country and has already been used to support policing operations in Rochdale.

Time is a critical factor when gathering sound forensic evidence that will stand up in court. Capturing samples within the “golden hour” immediately following a crime report can make the difference as evidence can deteriorate rapidly, especially when exposed to the elements.

“The evidence opportunity is reduced quite quickly over a period of time,” said Nigel Kelly, acting head of GMP’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit. “The sooner you can get to a crime scene the more likely you are to find something. We gather evidence and improve the chances of solving crime.

“As far as I’m aware it’s the first one in the country. Other forces may have similar strategic teams, but this was set up specifically for GMP.”

Based in central Manchester, the unit is available around the clock to support policing operations and critical incidents.

It has been utilised during Operation Guardian - the force’s response to burglaries that has seen crackdowns in Rochdale.

The FRU is bringing many benefits to the force.

It can provide increased resources for high crime areas and hotspots and step in to help if resources from a division are depleted by being focused on a major incident, such as a murder.

And as they don’t have to deal with everyday enquiries like each division, they are not distracted and can get on with the task in hand.

Organised crime gangs can take advantage of force and divisional boundaries but there are no such restrictions for where the FRU operates.

Mr Kelly said: “Gangs can exploit the fact that there are boundaries within forces and it makes it more difficult to investigate, so we need this kind of approach.”

Vehicle break-ins can be traumatic for the victim, who often need to get their vehicle back on the road quickly to get on with their lives, and the rapid response from forensics can ensure any evidence is soon captured.

At high-profile events, such as major rock concerts or big football games, units will be deployed so that they are on hand to immediately help with any incidents and provide a highly visible presence. Thieves can often target vehicles in crowded car parks at such events.

“We also want to provide reassurance to the public,” explained Mr Kelly. “People say they want to see police officers on the street and and although the unit is made up of civilian investigators, the public can see we are taking high-profile measures to investigate crime and solve it.”

There are six members of staff, led by a crime scene manager who will work out tactical deployment, and an administrative assistant. They have four new customised vehicles available to carry all the equipment needed.

When the unit arrives at an incident, such as a burglary, they will first interview the victim to get as much relevant information as possible.

The staff are experienced in attending and dealing with crime scenes and will quickly focus on the correct modus operandi, knowing all the different methods and tools used to carry put break-ins.

They use Locard’s law — that every contact leaves a trace — looking at every possible contact point to gather evidence.

Mr Kelly said: “The technology is now so sensitive that it becomes difficult for offenders not to leave a trace at the scene and we only have to find it once. When they commit an offence they are taking a risk being disturbed and leaving evidence for us to find.”

Specially-designed equipment used includes special light sources to visualise evidence, ultra-violet lights, special imaging equipment, sterile collection equipment to ensure samples aren’t contaminated, equipment to take biological DNA samples, and equipment to test for blood.

“All team members are trained to the same high level as all GMP’s forensic staff,” said Mr Kelly. “They need to be able to respond to virtually anything from major crime such as murders, sexual offences, robberies and arson, right across the spectrum of crime to burglary and vehicle crime.

“They need to be well-trained to be able to respond and deal with them. It takes around two years to be trained up to the level to deal with any crime scene. Even at a microscopic level they are trained to collect evidence.

“The unit is six months old and still developing but has been successfully deployed to several operations. It is proving to be an excellent policing resource in our fight against criminal activity and towards bringing offenders to justice.”