Commentary on provisions of Act Section 5: Investigation by the Regulator
Section 5 sets out investigative powers of the Regulator.
	Subsections (1) and (2) confer on the Regulator the function to investigate a forensic science activity if the Regulator believes that the activity is being carried out in a way that risks prejudicing the course of legal proceedings in England and Wales.
	To support this function, subsection (3) confers on the Regulator the power to require the person carrying out the activity in question to provide copies of documents or other information that they hold. This could include requiring the person to provide information orally (subsection (4)). The Regulator may require the person to provide copies of the documents by giving a written notice, which will need to specify the details set out in subsection (5)(a) to (c).
	Subsection (6) protects information that could not be required to be provided in proceedings before the High Court. Subsections (7)-(9) ensure that a person who is required to provide information to the Forensic Science Regulator does not breach any restriction on disclosure in doing so, but may not be required to disclose information in breach of the data protection legislation or the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
	Subsection (10) provides that the Regulator may apply for an injunction to enforce a requirement for information. Subsection (11) defines "proceedings" as proceedings before a judicial authority in England and Wales.