About us
Back to previous pageHome Office Scientific Development Branch
Head of unit: Alan Pratt
Contact us
Write to:
Home Office Scientific Development Branch
Sandridge
St Albans
Herts AL4 9HQ
Contact: Howard Choppin
Tel: 01727 865 051
Fax: 01727 816 233
Email: hosdb@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) is a unique team of scientists and engineers applying technology to further the Home Office aim to create a safe, just and tolerant society.
HOSDB aims to be the Home Office’s definitive source of advice on scientific and technical issues, to deliver innovative technical capabilities and to support our customers, ensuring scientific and technical solutions are effective on the ground.
With over 200 scientific and technical staff, HOSDB is based at two sites in the UK at Sandridge, Hertfordshire and Langhurst, West Sussex. Our development work is conducted both in-house and through our extensive links with industry and academia.
HOSDB is probably unique - we know of no other organisation in the world that conducts such a wide range of work in crime-fighting technology. We also work closely with selected law enforcement organisations across the world to share the risks, costs and benefits of complex technologies. With 23 technical programmes and over 125 current projects serving almost every branch of policing, our work is diverse and exciting.
