Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Justice Analytical Services data report: January 2022

First substantive marking

When COPFS receive a report that someone has committed a crime the prosecutor must decide whether and what action to take. This is recorded on the case as a "marking". If a decision cannot be taken immediately, an interim marking may be recorded. When a substantive decision is reached a First Substantive Marking (FSM) is recorded, to indicate how the prosecutor has decided to proceed.

The number of accused given a FSM by COPFS in January 2022 has increased slightly but is still below pre-pandemic levels. The number of unmarked reports in January 2022 is still below pre-pandemic levels and the number of interim marked reports is above pre-pandemic levels.