Home Office Scientific Development Branch
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_Sandridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1272141.jpg) The Wireless station was a Second World War listening Station for GCHQ. | |
| Abbreviation | HOSDB |
|---|---|
| Formation | Unknown |
| Dissolved | Unknown date |
| Legal status | Government-owned company |
| Purpose | Research |
| Location |
|
| Members | Scientific Development |
Director | Alan Pratt |
Parent organization | Home Office |
| Affiliations | UK Police Forces |
| Website | HOSDB |
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB; formerly the Police 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.[1]
History
[edit]The HOSDB's role was to support the Home Office's strategic aims through the effective application of science and technology.[2] 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 suicide bombings in London on 7 July2005 (aka the 7/7 bombings) in order to assess structural impacts, etc. There were 250 staff: 200 scientists and engineers and 50 support staff, half of whom lived in and around Sandridge, making them a large local employer.
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch underwent restructuring and was officially renamed in April 2011 as the 'Centre for Applied Science and Technology' (CAST).[citation needed]
The www.gov.uk website states that CAST was then integrated with the ‘Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’ (Dstl) on 1 April 2018."[3][4]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Home Office Scientific Development Branch". Home Office. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ↑ "Protecting the public using science and technology A UK Perspective" (PDF).
- ↑ "[Withdrawn] Centre for Applied Science and Technology". GOV.UK. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ↑ "Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) becomes part of Dstl". GOV.UK. 24 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
