Forensic Science Ireland
Forensic Science Ireland is the Irish state's forensic science laboratory, providing DNA, chemical, drug, toxicology, firearms and physical analysis services exclusively to An Garda Síochána and other state agencies, funded by the Department of Justice.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersCelbridge, Ireland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Forensic Science Ireland does
Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) is an associated office of Ireland's Department of Justice, established in 1975 as the Forensic Science Laboratory and rebranded in 2025 alongside its move to the purpose-built Backweston Science Campus in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. FSI delivers forensic scientific services to the Irish criminal justice system through four operational divisions: Physical Analysis (documents, explosives, fibres, fingerprints, fire debris, glass, gunshot residue, impression marks, paint), Chemical Analysis (drug and toxicology analysis), DNA and Biological Analysis (profiling and biological fluid analysis), and Science and Development (research, quality, publications). Core technology infrastructure comprises advanced analytical instrumentation (GC-MS, GC-FID, LCMS, FTIR, HPLC, scanning electron microscopy), an internal Laboratory Information Management System for sample workflow and quality control, and capabilities in mitochondrial DNA, fingerprint mark enhancement and comparison, and forensic document/handwriting examination. The organisation is accredited to EN ISO/IEC 17025 by the Irish National Accreditation Board (Lab Reg. No. 137T) and operates the National DNA Database with Prüm Treaty cross-border sharing.
FSI has no commercial revenue model. It is funded directly by the Irish Exchequer through the Department of Justice Vote and provides services free of charge to law enforcement. Its customers are exclusively state bodies: An Garda Síochána (primary), Revenue Customs Officers, the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, and the courts. The organisation employs over 200 staff, including seconded Garda members, scientists, analysts and administrative personnel. Notable operational outputs include securing convictions in the Ashling Murphy, Santina Cawley and Nora Sheehan cases, the detection of five novel synthetic cannabinoids reported via the European Early Warning System, and casework on multi-tonnage drug seizures at Dublin Port.
Forensic Science Ireland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forensic Science Ireland
- Legal name
- Forensic Science Ireland
- Website
- https://forensicscience.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Forensic Science Ireland is the Irish state's forensic science laboratory, providing DNA, chemical, drug, toxicology, firearms and physical analysis services exclusively to An Garda Síochána and other state agencies, funded by the Department of Justice.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forensic Science Ireland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forensic Science Laboratory Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forensic Science & Crime Laboratories (Justice System Support) (BPAIAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Criminal Investigations & Forensics (Detectives, Crime Labs, CSI) (BPAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Forensic Science Ireland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Celbridge
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forensic Science Ireland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Forensic Science Ireland is an associated office of the Department of Justice and is funded directly by the Exchequer. FSI forms part of the Department of Justice Vote, with details available in the Annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and Annual Appropriation Accounts. No commercial revenue generation as this is a state forensic laboratory providing services to the criminal justice system.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Forensic Science Ireland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forensic Science Ireland operates as Ireland's national forensic science laboratory, providing forensic analysis services to the criminal justice system through Physical Analysis (documents, explosives, fibres, fingerprints, fire debris, glass, gunshot residue, impression marks, paint), Chemical Analysis (drug and toxicology analysis under the Misuse of Drugs Acts), and DNA & Biological Analysis (DNA profiling and biological material analysis). It also delivers expert witness testimony and cold case reviews from its purpose-built Backweston Science Campus facility. The service is provided free of charge to law enforcement agencies including An Garda Síochána, Revenue Customs Officers, and the Defence Forces.
Product overview
Forensic Science Ireland is a government forensic science laboratory providing a unified suite of forensic analysis services to Ireland's criminal justice system. The organization operates through four primary service divisions: Physical Analysis Services (covering documents, explosives, fibres, fingerprints, fire debris, glass, gunshot residue, impression marks, and paint), Chemical Analysis Services (drug and toxicology analysis), DNA & Biological Analysis Services (DNA profiling and biological material analysis), and Science & Development (research and quality assurance). These core forensic services are supported by Corporate Services and an internal Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for workflow management and quality control. FSI was established in 1975 and currently employs over 200 staff at its Backweston Science Campus facility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Analysis Services Meticulous examination of physical evidence using state-of-the-art technology and advanced techniques, covering documents, explosives, fibres, fingerprints, fire debris, glass, gunshot residue, impression marks, and paint analysis. Provided to law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.
- Chemical Analysis Services Analysis of materials suspected to contravene the Misuse of Drugs Acts, including drug analysis and toxicology analysis services. Provided to law enforcement agencies including An Garda Síochána and Revenue Customs Officers to support drug seizure investigations and prosecutions.
- DNA & Biological Analysis Services Collection, study, and analysis of DNA and biological material from crime scene evidence, including DNA profiling, mitochondrial DNA analysis, and biological fluid analysis. Provided to law enforcement agencies to identify perpetrators through DNA matching against the National DNA Database and to support criminal investigations.
- Science & Development Services Science, Technology, Research and Innovation services including Quality Assurance to EN ISO/IEC 17025 standards, development of the Expert Evaluative Opinion (EEO) approach, ENFSI and AFSP working group participation, and publication of forensic research. Supports the criminal justice system through ongoing capability development and scientific research.
Quantifiable outcome
- Conviction secured in the Ashling Murphy murder case through Y-DNA profile match between Jozef Puska and samples from victim's fingernails, plus DNA and fingerprint matches to bicycle left at scene
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Forensic Science Ireland
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Forensic Science Ireland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Forensic Science Ireland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI)coreFSI actively participates in ENFSI scientific working groups, enabling scientific influence at both domestic and international levels. Staff attend and present at annual ENFSI conferences held in different European countries. ENFSI participation includes proficiency trials and collaborative exercises with European forensic laboratories.
- Association of Forensic Science Providers (AFSP)coreFSI participates in AFSP working groups alongside other UK and Irish forensic science providers for collaborative development of forensic science practices.
- Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB)coreINAB provides accreditation services to FSI under EN ISO/IEC 17025 standards. INAB conducts comprehensive re-assessments every 5 years and surveillance assessments biennially.
- An Garda SíochánacorePrimary law enforcement partner for whom FSI provides forensic analysis services. Includes seconded Garda members working within FSI. FSI provides presumptive drug testing training to Garda staff.
- The Medical Bureau of Road SafetyminorState body dealing with road safety and alcohol/drug testing that may interact with FSI for forensic toxicology services.
- The Chartered Society of Forensic SciencesminorProfessional body for forensic scientists providing standards and professional development guidance.
- Office of the State PathologistminorFSI collaborates with the Office of the State Pathologist on forensic pathology work, as mentioned in extended accreditation scope.
- Wildacres Nature ReserveminorFSI has partnered with Wildacres, an award winning Nature Reserve and Biodiversity Education Centre in South East Wicklow. FSI has sponsored the production of handmade Wild Bee Hotels for solitary bees.
- Department of JusticecoreFSI is an associated office of the Department of Justice and is funded directly by the Exchequer through the Department of Justice Vote.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Forensic Science Ireland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forensic Science Ireland social profiles
Digital presenceForensic Science Ireland compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Forensic Science Ireland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forensic Science Ireland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forensic Science Ireland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forensic Science Ireland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forensic Science Ireland
What does Forensic Science Ireland do?
Forensic Science Ireland operates as Ireland's national forensic science laboratory, providing forensic analysis services to the criminal justice system through Physical Analysis (documents, explosives, fibres, fingerprints, fire debris, glass, gunshot residue, impression marks, paint), Chemical Analysis (drug and toxicology analysis under the Misuse of Drugs Acts), and DNA & Biological Analysis (DNA profiling and biological material analysis). It also delivers expert witness testimony and cold case reviews from its purpose-built Backweston Science Campus facility. The service is provided free of charge to law enforcement agencies including An Garda Síochána, Revenue Customs Officers, and the Defence Forces.
Is Forensic Science Ireland a public or private company?
Forensic Science Ireland is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Forensic Science Ireland founded?
Forensic Science Ireland was founded in 1975. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Forensic Science Ireland based?
Forensic Science Ireland is headquartered in Celbridge, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Forensic Science Ireland make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Does Forensic Science Ireland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forensic Science Ireland.
What industry is Forensic Science Ireland in?
Forensic Science Ireland's product category is Forensic Science Laboratory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAFAI, Forensic Science & Crime Laboratories (Justice System Support), with a secondary code of BPAIAGAI, Criminal Investigations & Forensics (Detectives, Crime Labs, CSI). Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8731.