Staffordshire Scientific Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What services do Staffordshire Scientific Services offer?

A. We provide a competitively priced range of services to customers designed to support the social, economic and environmental well being within a modern, fast-changing society.

Our high-tech laboratory and highly qualified scientists are able to offer prospective customers a wide range of analytical services tailored to meet individual specifications, from food and agricultural to waste materials and pollution.

Q. If we need the analysis of batches of samples on a regular basis, can you offer a competitive service?

A. We offer a wide range of contracts and services, just contact us and we can advise on the service package that would be best for you. We have conducted work for over 1,600 different clients since 1995 and currently have contracts with 9 different local authorities.

Q. What are Staffordshire Scientific Services credentials?

A. The laboratory is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services) for food and water analysis and takes part in more than 40 rounds of FAPAS (Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme) each year.

We can analyse for thousands of different chemicals and aim to increase the number of accredited methods each year.

Q. How do I contact Staffordshire Scientific Services?

A. You can find us at:

Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street
Stafford
ST16 2LG

alternatively you can contact us on:

Tel: 01785 277825
Fax: 01785 277812
E-mail: county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk

Q. We have a budget for food sampling - how can we make it more relevant to healthy eating?

A. Utilising previous work and input from local health promotion colleagues can help you target specific issues for at-risk age or ethnic groups. We can help you design a project, at any cost, to begin to ask relevant questions or support food related projects. We look beyond single sample compliance and look for trends or relationships between samples.

Q There is a much greater emphasis on reducing fat, sugar and salt in the diet. What role can Trading Standards play?

A. Small changes in existing food sampling practices can improve the role Trading Standards can play. For example, tabulating price, place of purchase, or number of calories will allow a great insight on consumer choice.

Model duplicate diets of young people can be analysed. Comparison of home made versus convenience foods, labelling versus analysed value and collaborative studies can be extremely useful.

Monitoring catering contracts with a view to reduce fat, salt or sugar to clients can make a substantial difference to their diets.

Q. Can you test to see if my hair extensions are made out of human hair?

A. Yes it is a relatively simple procedure that involves the magnification of a strand of the hair - human hair looks different than synthetic hair

Q. Can you find out why nothing grows in a soil sample?

A. Yes we have a lot of experience in this area.

We are not restricted to analytical work in the laboratory but can offer a problem solving service which could entail;
Appraisal of the problem, sampling strategy, analysis in the laboratory, interpretation of the results and hazard assessment followed by recommendations of remedial measures or other courses of action.

Q. To support my legal case I need an expert witness to give scientific evidence in court, can you help?

A. We conduct analyse and the Certificates issued are legal documents which can be produced in court. In some instances the Public Analyst and his staff will appear in court as expert witnesses.

Q. If I am stopped for drunk driving, can I get a second opinion on the alcohol content in the blood sample taken by the police?

A. We analyse around 80 blood alcohol samples a year. The current cost is £110 including VAT. We analyse the same sample that the police took, giving you a second opinion and if necessary time for you to put together a case.

To find out our rates please contact Dr Frank Hollywood, Public Analyst on 01785 277825 or e-mail us on county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk

Q. If you are presented with a sample how do you go about deciding what to test for?

A. The first stage is to consider the legislation, labelling and our past experience. The reason for the complaint can give reasonable clues to what we should test for. Failing that we have equipment that vaporises a small sample and compares the output with over 30,000 chemical components. This equipment can also help us compare the pattern of flavours, for example, between alcohol samples to determine whether they are genuine or frauds.

Q. How are samples transported to the laboratory to ensure 'continuity of evidence'?

A. Transportation of samples is decided with individual clients to maintain the chain of evidence where this is required. A courier system is sometimes set up for contract work.

Q. How can I find out about job vacancies in Scientific Services?

A. All the current job vacancies are displayed on the Staffordshire Web site: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/jobs

Additional information and summaries of specific pieces of work can be found in the publication section.

Last Modified: 02/01/2008 14:31:41
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