Published Date: 03.10.2003

The Police Ombudsman is to investigate allegations that police officers asked officials of the Forensic Science Agency to cover up mistakes made during police investigations.

The Chief Constable of the PSNI, Hugh Orde, has asked the Police Ombudsman to investigate the claims, which were made by a senior forensics officer during a recent hearing at Belfast High Court. David Wood, the Police Ombudsman's Executive Director, said: "I can confirm that the Chief Constable has referred this matter to the Police Ombudsman. We have now commenced an enquiry to establish the facts and the appropriateness of police actions in relation to their dealings with the Forensic Science Agency."