Freedom of Information Act
Introduction to the FSS Publication Scheme
- Browse the FSS Publications Scheme
- Introduction
- Charging for publications
- Copyright
- Information Asset Register
- Classes of information
Section 19 of the FOIA requires public authorities to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme, which is essentially a guide to the information they will proactively disclose. The purpose of the Publication Scheme is to ensure that a large amount of information is readily available to members of the public without the need for a specific request, and to inform the public of the extent of the material that is available.
The FOIA states that within their Publication Schemes, public authorities must specify:
- The classes of information which they publish or intend to publish
- The manner in which information in each class is or is intended to be published
- Whether the material is or is intended to be available free of charge or on payment
The classes of information within the Scheme do include exempt information. Examples of exempt information are information received in confidence and information that could prejudice law enforcement or the commercial activities of the FSS if disclosed.
The main website will provide you with further information about the FSS and the services its provides. It also features casefiles and advice on how to get a job with the FSS.
Within each class of information we have indicated whether a fee will be charged for the information.
The classes of information fall into one of the categories below:
(i) Free of charge on website – for those without internet access, a single print out as on the website would be available by contacting the telephone number listed below. However, requests for multiple print outs will attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopy, postage and administration. We will inform you of the cost at the time of your request; and the fee will need to be paid in advance.
(ii) Chargeable hard copy – glossy bound booklets and brochures will be charged for. All of the information within the FSS Publication Scheme is available free to download, but booklets in hard copy will incur a fee. We will inform you of the fee in advance.
All of the information within the FSS Scheme can be downloaded free of charge from the FSS website. If you wish to receive information on hard copy via the post please contact 020 7230 3285.
The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to Crown copyright unless otherwise indicated. Crown copyright material (other than the Royal Arms and Departmental or Agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where any of the Crown copyright items in this Scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status.
For material not available on the Home Office website or where there is a restriction on use, an application for a licence to reproduce the material concerned should be made to:
HMSO Copyright Unit
St Clements House
20-16 Colegate
Norwich NR3 1BQTel. 01603 723020
Fax. 01603 723000
E-mail: copyright@hmso.gov.uk
Permission to reproduce Crown protected material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is in the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.
The Future management of Crown copyright White Paper, published in 1999, proposed a centrally held Government-wide Information Asset Register (IAR), which would be available to all, on the Internet. The IAR is a catalogue of Government information assets that can be reused under licence. Anyone with web access can search the IAR in order to identify:
- what information the Government holds;
- how useful that information is; and
- importantly, a contact point to whom requests for underlying information can be made.
Requests for information in the IAR will be handled in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and, from January 2005, the FOI Act.
The kinds of information included in the IAR are databases, statistical surveys, reports, research material and special collections of paper files. Anything, in fact, that a Government Department might have collected as part of their business but which has never been published. Some of this information may be made available on request, but not necessarily all of it.
If you can access the Internet, to find out what unpublished information the Home Office holds, search www.inforoute.hmso.gov.uk.
More general information about the IAR is in HMSO's Guidance Note 18, accessible on the HMSO website www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm
The Scheme contains broad topic areas to help you find the information you are looking for. Within each topic area there are identifiable classes of information that the FSS publishes or intends to publish. Under each class of information you will find:
- A description of the information that is available within the class, with an accompanying definition which provides more detail about the contents of the documents
- The manner in which it is made available, for example web-site or by post
- Details of any charges for providing the information
Information falling into the classes will be retained in line with the Home Office’s retention and disposal schedules, which comply with Public Record Office guidance.
To browse documents click here
The Forensic Science Service is a UK registered trademark. FSS is a registered trademark. The National DNA Database is a UK registered trademark.