NFC has been criticized from several quarters – for both thinning DNA samples and neglected IT development. But above all, it has been about long processing times.
Now, a survey among Sweden's chief prosecutor shows that a turnaround has taken place – at least for the most prioritized crimes, such as shootings. "Things are moving in the right direction but too slowly," as one prosecutor puts it.
However, several point out that delays continue to cause problems, in the worst case with serious effects – such as suspects having to be released and can affect investigations or commit new crimes, or innocent people being detained unnecessarily long.
– I can understand that there are cases where the prosecutors wish we had faster analyses, says NFC manager Helena Trolläng, who emphasizes that the average processing time in 2022 was 20 percent shorter than in 2018.
At the same time, average times in both 2019 and 2020 were at about the same level as last year.
'No healthy culture'
SVT's review also shows that there is internal criticism of the NFC management's and Trollang's leadership style, which is described as harsh and "commandological". Nils Hydén, former long-time union active NFC employee, says that the leadership style is the reason why several employees left NFC.
"You can't stand it. It's definitely not a healthy culture.
Helena Trolläng rejects the criticism and refers to the fact that employee surveys have shown good results. But she admits that some decisions may have been perceived as tough when NFC was transformed from the independent authority SKL to part of the police.
Investigated after audit dispute
Trolläng came under fire in January after SVT revealed an infected conflict over an audit review of, among other things, the governance of, among other things, NFC.
In recent months, she has been the subject of an employment law investigation, which has now been closed.
The criticism of NFC: Inefficiency, old technology and quarrels with accountants