Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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809. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any handwriting experts are employed by An Garda Síochána; if not, the plans to employ handwriting experts. [21432/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the documents and handwriting service of the Garda Technical Bureau transferred to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) on 2 December 2019. 

FSI is an associated office of the Department of Justice and provides comprehensive scientific analysis, independent expert opinion, advice and training to support the Irish Criminal Justice system. FSI analyses submissions from a wide variety of cases including murders, significant drug seizures, aggravated assaults, suspected explosive devices and sexual assaults, and represents findings as expert witnesses in court.

I am advised that an expert handwriting analysis service is currently provided by two seconded Detective Gardaí and one forensic scientist, and that two further forensic scientists are in training in the area.