MORE work is needed to instil public confidence in the way unsolved Troubles murders are investigated, inspectors have warned.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the PSNI must further improve how it handles the probes.
The HMIC has examined current arrangements two years on from its damning report on the PSNI's now-defunct Historical Enquiries Team (HET), which had been reviewing more than 3,000 Troubles-related killings.
Inspectors alleged the HET did not probe killings committed by the military with the same rigour as those carried out by paramilitaries.
The HET was axed last year and has been replaced by a new PSNI investigation unit - the Legacy Investigations Branch (LIB). This body is carrying on the work of the HET until a new proposed independent investigation team is established.
The creation of the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) was agreed as part of December's Stormont House deal - however, the whole accord is now in jeopardy due to the row over welfare reforms.
In its follow-up report, the HMIC said "progress has been made" but "further improvements are required" to the way legacy investigation work is carried out.
Inspectors said the challenge for "enhancing public trust and confidence" continues.
Of the 20 recommendations made in the original HMIC report, inspectors found that 10 had been implemented; two were part-implemented; three were no longer applicable since the demise of the HET; and five remained outstanding.
The HMIC expressed particular concern about vetting arrangements to ensure officers engaged in the work had no previous links to the cases; the management of intelligence; and in regard to the openness and accountability of the LIB.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Mike Cunningham said: "HMIC recognises that improvements have been made against the 2013 recommendations, and that a small number are no longer directly relevant given the transfer of work to the Legacy Investigations Branch; however, there are still improvements that could be made."
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said the report acknowledged that the majority of the 2013 recommendations had been implemented but some need further attention.
"In the days and weeks ahead, we will consider carefully how to make progress against the recommendations which are relevant to the PSNI," he said.
"We will involve the Policing Board, the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Office in our considerations, given their roles both in terms of accountability and the future implementation of the HIU."
Mr Hamilton reiterated his support for an independent scrutiny panel which would have unfettered access to the Legacy Investigation Branch.
"Given the Policing Board will have accountability responsibility for the HIU once it is established, I would welcome the same accountability to be applied to the LIB during the interim period," he said.
He said he is dealing with a reduced budget and must prioritise keeping people safe today.
"It is my view that the PSNI continue to bear the brunt of a broader failure to deal with the past," he said.
