Home Office Scientific Development Branch
Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB)
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch, formerly the Police Scientific Development Branch, was a UK government body inside the Home Office. It carried out scientific research to develop new technologies to fight crime and to support the UK’s police and security services.
Two sites: Sandridge, Hertfordshire, and Langhurst, West Sussex.
What they did: Hi-tech research on counter-terrorism, crime-fighting technology, border security, and measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. They also supported investigations at incidents, such as the 2005 London bombings, by assessing impacts and needs.
Staff: About 250 people (roughly 200 scientists and engineers and 50 support staff). Many staff lived near Sandridge, making HOSDB a large local employer.
Relationships: Part of the Home Office, working with UK police forces and security services.
Timeline: On 1 April 2018, the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) merged with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) as part of a broader government integration of science and technology.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:06 (CET).