Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statement

Key Forensic Services (KFS) are one of the leading Forensic Science Providers in the UK and Europe. We provide a full range of forensic services to the criminal justice system, defence solicitors/lawyers and private sector companies. KFS has over 220 employees across three sites in the UK - Coventry, Norwich and Warrington.

KFS are committed to continuously reviewing and improving our business practices, including our operational procedures and supply chain to ensure we are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

KFS recognises that although slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking (collectively 'Modern Slavery'), is illegal it remains a growing issue in the UK. We also recognise that all businesses have a responsibility to assess, and we endeavour to minimise the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chains.

Our KFS Core Values include Professionalism, Reliability and Integrity. A number of our existing policies reflect our commitment to act with integrity and respect in all of our business interactions and to minimise the risk of modern slavery in our business and wider supply chain. All scientific staff sign up to a Code of Conduct which is in line with the Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Practice. Our employees are accountable for compliance with company policies and procedures which includes a requirement to ensure KFS operates in compliance with the law.

In conducting our business, we will not tolerate human trafficking, forced labour, unlawful child labour, commercial sex acts or other unethical or illegal labour practices by our employees, agents, providers or subcontractors anywhere in our supply chain. This policy applies to all of our employees, subcontractors, subcontractor employees and agents. Any employee or subcontractor who is found to have contravened this policy will be subject to remedial action: if an employee, this will involve disciplinary action including the possibility of dismissal; if a subcontractor or agent, action will include contract termination. If we believe that there has been an unlawful act we will refer the matter to the police.

We employ all of our workforce directly and do not currently have any independent agents or contractors working in the company. The majority of our employees are permanent. Our Right to Work Policy and Recruitment Policy are followed to ensure, as far as possible, that migrant workers are not exposed to exploitation and that the business is not exposed to the fraudulent recruitment of employees. Due to the nature of our business, our stringent Security Vetting procedures and the requirement to have resided in the UK for at least 5 years prior to accepting an offer of employment we believe minimal risk exists. We have contractual relationships with all of our suppliers and a dedicated procurement manager to oversee the instruction of supplier agreements and ensure that adequate procedures are in place. We subcontract general maintenance and construction works services to a number of small providers in the UK. We are committed to working with our suppliers to review and improve their business practice. We are committed to ensuring we are not supplied by anyone who engages in human trafficking and modem slavery. We conduct due diligence checks on all new sub-contractors and key consumables suppliers. These checks support KFS in identifying and verifying that such parties are not involved with, or suspected of, modern slavery, bribery, corruption or other unlawful activity. Our standard terms of procurement require suppliers to comply with all applicable laws in the provision of products and services to us. We typically reserve the right to conduct supplier audits to underpin this requirement. Employees are required to report any activity suspected to involve Human Trafficking, Forced Labour, Unlawful Child Labour, or Commercial Sex Acts or any activity inconsistent with this Policy, or applicable laws committed against themselves or others, including any contracted staff. Employees may report suspected activity without fear of retaliation directly to their line manager or supervisor, a member of the HR department or any member of the Senior Management Team.

KFS is not aware of any established instance of modem slavery in our business or wider supply chain. We remain committed to integrating our businesses with standard policies and procedures which highlight and educate our employees and suppliers of the risk of modern slavery. As such, identification and management of-modern slavery risk will continue to inform the update of our compliance processes and policies. This is also covered in our induction and training process for new starters to the company. This statement is made in connection with Section 54, Part 6 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2023.