1. Supporting forensic practitioners worldwide
Accreditation Scheme for Sole Traders & Small & Medium size Enterprises David Bellamy Quality and Competency Manager
FAPSA & CSFS Conference 19th June 2017
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2. Update on Forensic Landscape
Forensic Science Regulator aim;
(AR Jan 17)
“That appropriate quality standards are in place for all forensic science disciplines, which apply equally whether the services are delivered by small or large organisations, private companies, public laboratories, police forces or individuals.”
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3. Update on Forensic Landscape
Mechanism is; - Accreditation
Codes of Practice (Issue 3 - February 2016)
Statement of Accreditation Requirements
This lists the required quality standards for each forensic discipline and the dates by which accreditation must be achieved.
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4. Update on Forensic Landscape
Codes of Practice (Issue 3 - February 2016)
Accreditation Standards: ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020
and, from October 2017,
FSR Codes of Practice
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5. Update on Forensic Landscape
Dates:
1st Oct 2017 for most disciplines
1st Oct 2018 for Fingerprint Comparison
1st Oct 2020 for Crime Scene Examination
(Aspects of Digital Forensics TBA)
N.B. - Issue 4 is in production but will not go live until after the new version of ISO/IEC is published
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6. Update on Forensic Landscape
FSR still has no statutory powers.
2015 Government had a commitment to deliver by end of the Parliament i.e. 2020
No update on this since the election………………….
FSR (AR 17)
“practitioners who have not adopted the relevant quality standard are no longer instructed.”
but…
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7. Update on Forensic Landscape
If accreditation required (as per Codes) but not achieved, such non-compliance should be declared in court.
FSR presently in discussion with CPS regarding the precise means of making disclosure.
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8. Update on Forensic Landscape
Challenge for FSR
FSR (AR 17) :
“..it is clear that the single biggest challenge to achieving my aim is financial: the costs associated with complying with and being assessed against the standards.”
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9. Update on Forensic Landscape
FSR (QSSG July 16):
“…Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) would be likely to incur disproportionate costs when seeking accreditation.”
However….
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10. Update on Forensic Landscape
FSR (AR 17):
“Continuing to support the development of a less cost prohibitive route for small businesses to reach the standards remains a high priority.”
As a result….
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11. Update on Forensic Landscape
FSR (AR 17):
FSR initiated discussions between UKAS and the Chartered Society to establish;
a more attractive, cost effective route for ST/SME to gain accreditation.
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12. Update on Forensic Landscape
Chartered Society (Interfaces June 16)
Survey of members April 2016
80% work in organisations < 50
(31% are sole traders)
60% not working towards accreditation
56% stated the main barrier was cost
Over 50% undertake casework reviews
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13. Update on Forensic Landscape
Chartered Society commenced this work with UKAS.
Developing products for a pilot of ST/SME seeking accreditation to
ISO/IEC for Casework Review.
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14. Update on Forensic Landscape
“The approach so far had successfully identified how the up-front costs for accreditation could be reduced and..”
“..the CSFS were working with UKAS to identify how the running costs of accreditation could be managed.”
(FSAC Sept 16)
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15. Update on Forensic Landscape
“To ensure fairness amongst the marketplace the scheme would be open to all FSPs including large companies.”
“It was noted that police forces would be watching closely the outcome of this work….” (FSAC Sep 16)
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16. Update on Forensic Landscape
FSR (AR17) -“The outcomes of this work, in terms of effectiveness and cost, will inform future direction.”
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17. Progress on Accreditation Scheme Pilot
Clear and continuing support from the FSR Investment by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Formal Business Agreement between the Chartered Society and UKAS Progress meeting between participants in pilots, CSFS and UKAS (to be held on Thursday)
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18. Progress on Accreditation Scheme Pilot
Quality Management System progress Following on from previous development work: Mapped Codes of Practice against each section of ISO/IEC and also incorporated guidance documents from ILAC; ILAC G19 and ILAC P15
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19. Progress on Accreditation Scheme Pilot
Following on from previous development work:-
Produced draft versions of additional procedures and forms ensuring compliance with standard, codes, guidance documents and CSFS/UKAS Agreement
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20. Progress on Accreditation Scheme Pilot
Continue to strive to reduce overall costs for participants with consideration of: -
- UKAS (ISO/IEC compliance)
- CSFS (Generic QMS production and maintenance, additional roles and facilitator)
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21. Copyright of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Any Questions?
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22. Supporting forensic practitioners worldwide
Accreditation Scheme for Sole Traders & Small & Medium size Enterprises David Bellamy Quality and Competency Manager
FAPSA & CSoFS Conference 19th June 2017
©Copyright of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences