Home Office Scientific Development Branch
AbbreviationHOSDB
FormationUnknown
DissolvedUnknown date
Legal statusGovernment-owned company
PurposeResearch
Location
  • Sandridge, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Membership
Scientific Development
Director
Alan Pratt
Parent organization
Home Office
AffiliationsUK Police Forces
WebsiteHOSDB

The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB; formerly the Police Scientific Development Branch) was a branch of the Home Office in the United Kingdom which provided scientific research into new technology that could be used to fight crime.[1]

History

The HOSDB's role was to support the Home Office's strategic aims through the effective application of science and technology.[2] HOSDB would also provide technical support for the UK's police and security services. HOSDB has two sites in the UK: Sandridge, Hertfordshire and Langhurst, West Sussex. The work of the HOSDB involved hi-tech research into countering terrorism, technology to fight crime, borders security, and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Their work sometimes involved attending incidents such as the explosions in London in 2005 in order to assess structural impacts, etc. There were 250 staff: 200 scientists and engineers and 50 support staff, half of whom live in and around Sandridge, making them a large local employer.

References

  1. "Home Office Scientific Development Branch". Home Office. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. "Protecting the public using science and technology A UK Perspective" (PDF).
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