DEWVA
Established: 2009
Committee Members - 16
Drug Expert Membership - 1091
Associate Members - 7
About DEWVA
Since the drug squads started to appear in the late 1960’s courts have relied upon police officers, to explain to them how drug markets, and drug suppliers work. The Drug Expert Witness & Valuation Association (DEWVA) was established as a professional network that supports police officers and law enforcement professionals across the UK and further afar, who serve as drug expert witnesses.
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Since its establishment in 2009, DEWVA's core aim has been to promote best practice in the preparation and delivery of expert evidence in court, particularly in cases involving drug's production, supply, valuation and communication interpretation.
The association provides ongoing professional development, encourages national collaboration, and ensures that members maintain impartiality and legal compliance in their work. Through training and shared expertise, DEWVA helps ensure that complex drug-related evidence is clearly and accurately presented to the courts and their role is crucial in helping courts interpret evidence accurately and fairly.​
Our History
2005
2007
2009
2010
2014
2015
2015
2017
2018
2021
2023
2024
2025
A CPS working party defined the term ‘Expert Witness’
The national ‘Drugs Advice Group’ network (DAG), formerly named the ‘Expert Witness Group’ (EWG), was formed in December 2007.
DEWVA was established and the first DEWVA Chair was appointed – Tony Saggers (Serious Organised Crime Agency).
The first DEWVA ACPO President was appointed as Chief Constable David Crompton (West Yorkshire Police).
The first DEWVA Chair, Tony Saggers, stood down and the second Chair, Steve Dorans of the NCA stepped into the role.
Significant changes were made to the Criminal Procedure Rules, with dedicated rules for Drug Expert Witnesses.
DEWVA held its 7 th annual conference where over two hundred delegates attended.
DEWVA appointed Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Lay (Bedfordshire Police) to the role of Honorary President.
The second DEWVA chair Steve Dorans stood down and the third chair was elected, Sgt Dick Gregory from South Wales Police.
DEWVA President Mark Lay stood down and DAC Graham McNulty was elected as the third DEWVA President.
The third DEWVA President DAC Graham McNulty retired, the fourth DEWVA President, Chief Constable Lucy D’orsi, (British Transport Police) was appointed.
The third DEWVA Chair Dick Gregory stood down and the fourth DEWVA Chair Nick Lowden (Northumbria Police) was elected.
The fourth DEWVA Chair Nick Lowden stood down and the fifth DEWVA Chair Amanda Merritt (Kent Police) was elected.
Affiliate Organisations
DEWVA works collaboratively with a range of distinguished national bodies, including the National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, College of Policing, Forensic Science Regulator, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, National Police Chiefs’ Council, Home Office, WEDINOS, and Bond Solon. These strategic affiliations underpin a reciprocal exchange of high-level knowledge and expertise. Affiliate organisations seek to benefit from DEWVA’s extensive knowledge of drug supply, production, use, and evolving trends within the criminal underworld. In return DEWVA gains access to specialist insights, wider knowledge of professional industry standards and informed guidance. These engagements supports our aims of both seeking and maintaining recognised best practice and impartiality standards which benefit all of our members. Additionally these relationships enables DEWVA to make a substantive contribution to the formulation of future drugs policy, procedures, regulations, and law.
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