About 80-90% of Prospect’s 1,300 members in FSS at seven regional laboratories in England and Wales took action, according to reports reaching their union headquarters in London.

They were supported by administration staff from Prospect’s sister union, the Public and Commercial Services union, who also took part in the action and joined forensic scientists on pickets up and down the country.

Speaking from the picket line in Lambeth, London, Prospect General Secretary Paul Noon, said: "Support for this strike reflects the anger of FSS staff at being offered a pay cut in real terms when their dedication and expertise is behind FSS’ universal reputation as one of the leading forensic science services in the world.

"Not only is this last offer below inflation and nine months late, it follows a long line of poor pay offers which have resulted in forensic scientists becoming the poorest paid professionals in the criminal justice system."

Members have voted to follow up today’s action with an overtime ban and work-to-rule in their bid to seek an adequate pay award.