Home Office Scientific Development Branch | |
Abbreviation: | HOSDB |
Formation: | Unknown |
Dissolved: | Unknown date |
Status: | Government-owned company |
Purpose: | Research |
Location: | Sandridge, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom |
Membership: | Scientific Development |
Leader Title: | Director |
Leader Name: | Alan Pratt |
Parent Organization: | Home Office |
Affiliations: | UK Police Forces |
Website: | HOSDB |
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]
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.