FAQs
Q. What services does Staffordshire Scientific Services offer?
A. We provide a competitively priced range of services offering prospective customers a wide range of analytical services tailored to meet individual specifications, from food and agricultural products to waste materials and pollutants.
Q. If we need the analysis of batches of samples on a regular basis, can you offer a competitive service?
A. We are happy to offer preferential terms for larger or regular batches of samples, just contact us and we can advise you. We currently have about 650 customers and have a number of large contracts with local authorities.
Q Where are we?
A. Follow the Google link to find directions: Stafford ST16 2LG (No 14)
Q. What are Staffordshire Scientific Services’ credentials?
A. Our laboratory is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services) - see the scope of accreditation on the site. We take part in FAPAS (Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme), Aquacheck, WASP and NETCEN (for NOX tubes).
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. In the first instance, please call or email your query to:
Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street, Stafford ST16 2LG
T: 01785 277 825
F: 01785 277 812
County.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Q. We have a budget for food sampling - how can we make it more relevant to healthy eating?
A. We can help you design a project, whatever your budget, to begin to ask relevant questions or support food related projects. We have a dietician available.
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 or old people can be analysed. Comparison of home made versus convenience foods, labelling versus analysed value and collaborative studies can also be extremely useful.
Monitoring catering contracts with a view to reduce fat, salt or sugar to clients can make a substantial difference to the diets of the customers using these facilities.
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 include: 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. Our Certificates of Analysis and reports are legal documents which can be produced in court. In some instances the Public Analyst and or a member of 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. 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. The current charge for this service (2009) is £110 + VAT.
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. We have a van and driver who can collect samples from our customers and transfer them to our Staffordshire laboratory. 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 County Council web sites: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/jobs
Our Credentials
Leicestershire and Staffordshire Scientific Services is an efficient and reliable scientific service offering testing and analysis, advice and support to customers in the public and private sector.
We have four Public Analysts, thirty-five well-qualified, experienced staff and two laboratories, based in Leicester and Stafford, accredited to UKAS Quality Standard ISO/IEC 17025 which are both Official Food Enforcement Laboratories
View UKAS accreditation schedule for Leicestershire for Staffordshire.
Getting In Touch
Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street
Stafford ST16 2LG
T: 01785 277 825 F: 01785 277 812Email: county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire County Council website
