foster+freeman granted Human Tissue Authority licence

foster+freeman Granted Human Tissue
Authority Licence

HTA Licence enables leading forensic innovator to further expand research capabilities:

foster+freeman, a leading manufacturer of forensic science equipment used by police authorities worldwide, has been granted a licence by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for the storage of biological materials, which have come from the human body, for research, education and training purposes.

“I’m proud to report this significant step, which further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to conducting high-level forensic research in order to drive new product development here at foster+freeman”
Robert Dartnell, CEO, foster+freeman

“As a company, foster+freeman has a reputation for innovation and for coming up with new solutions to age old forensic questions. But what really sets us apart is our commitment to conducting rigorous scientific research, and the provision of ground truth data that ensures the quality and consistency of results achieved when using our products to detect or examine forensic evidence.”

“Now that our facility in Evesham is covered by our HTA licence, we can further expand our research on a variety of new instruments designed to detect, visualise and examine biological evidence both at the crime scene and in the forensic laboratory”

“It is our understanding that foster+freeman is the only organisation within our market sector to hold such a prestigious and sought-after licence”
Robert Dartnell, CEO, foster+freeman

Foster + Freeman Headquarters. — foster+freeman headquarters in Evesham, Worcestershire, United Kingdom.

Meeting the Highest Quality and Research Standards

The HTA, created by the UK Parliament in 2005 as a non-departmental public body of the Department of Health, was set up to regulate the removal, storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissue for purposes such as research, transplantation, and education and training.

As a license holder, foster+freeman is subject to a rigorous inspection programme based on compliance, evaluation, and site visits – both notified and unannounced.

The rigorous assessment and application process was overseen by Dr Roberto King and Dr Cameron Heaton, who recognised the need to ensure the highest quality and research standards are in place for the organisation.

“Holding the HTA licence gives us the ability to further push our products to the limit during their development. It enables us to ensure products are absolutely “fit-for-purpose”, whilst conforming to both legal and ethical standards”
Dr Roberto King, VP of Product

Dr Roberto King
Dr Cameron Heaton

Ground Truth Data for Forensic Validation

foster+freeman have already identified several areas of key research that will benefit greatly from holding the prestigious HTA licence.

“Over the last year, we have sought to enhance our impressive scientific and applications data pools by compiling ‘ground-truth data’ to underpin both product and forensic sector where they apply. These significant pieces of work will serve to aid end users in understanding the capabilities of technology, whilst also helping them quickly move through their validation processes”
Dr Roberto King, VP of Product, foster+freeman

The HTA licence now provides foster+freeman with the freedom to better interrogate biological samples and establish ground truth data sets previously not possible with an unlicensed status.