MPs are to examine the implications of the government's decision to develop the forensic science service (FSS) as a public private partnership (PPP).

The inquiry by the Commons science and technology committee would also look at the way evidence is gathered and presented in court following a number of high profile cases turning on scientific data, said the chairman, Ian Gibson, today. MPs want to hear evidence on the extent to which shortcomings in forensic science have affected the administration of justice.