Home Office Scientific Development Branch

The Home Office Scientific Development Branch was a branch of the Home Office in the United Kingdom which provided scientific research into new technology that could be used to fight crime. A government website states that The ‘Centre for Applied Science and Technology’ integrated with the ‘Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’ on 1 April 2018."

History

The HOSDB's role was to support the Home Office's strategic aims through the effective application of science and technology. HOSDB would also provide technical support for the UK's police and security services. HOSDB has two sites in the UK: Sandridge, Hertfordshire and Langhurst, West Sussex. The work of the HOSDB involved hi-tech research into countering terrorism, technology to fight crime, borders security, and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Their work sometimes involved attending incidents such as the explosions in London in 2005 in order to assess structural impacts, etc. There were 250 staff: 200 scientists and engineers and 50 support staff, half of whom live in and around Sandridge, making them a large local employer.