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• Workshop that considers contemporary issues, challenges, and best practice around the application of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice and international standards, ISO 17025 and ISO 17020.

 

• The Code of Practice came into force in October 23 following the enactment of the Forensic Science Regulator Act in 2021.  The Code sets out quality standard requirements for forensic science activities related to the investigation of crime in England and Wales.

 

• The Code builds on the forensic science regulatory model in use prior to the introduction of the Act, the non-statutory Codes of Practice and Conduct, incorporating much of their content.  This will reinforce the important quality culture required for forensic science activities, conducted by investigators and police staff from the crime scene to the court room.

 

• Our workshop will focus on how the FSR Code of Practice and international standards ISO 17025 and ISO 17020 impact on digital investigations and the work of the digital investigator, analysts and digital forensics staff.

 

• We will take you through the key areas of quality standard compliance and subsequent implications on the digital investigation process.  This will cover forensic science activities and reporting requirements, providing practical advice on how The Code and ISO standards impact on day-to-day forensic operations as well as offer advice on how to maximise performance and compliance.

 

• Our workshop aims to cut through the jargon and the technical language and provide operational investigators with a working knowledge of relevant regulations as well as offer sound advice to help successfully navigate the compliance landscape.

 

• Held online via Teams.

 

• Certificates of CPD available for this event.

 

Our expert

We are delighted to welcome Kay Murfin to deliver this workshop. Kay is a highly

accomplished Quality Manager with a demonstrable history of implementing, developing, and maintaining Quality Management Systems for a number of organisations.

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Kay has been involved in the delivery of Quality Management for over twelve years and possesses an exceptional understanding of the requirements of ISO 17025, ISO 17020, the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice and Conduct, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Her career began in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry, operating as a scientist in medical safety for AstraZeneca, before entering forensic science as a Laboratory Officer for Cheshire Police. 

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Utilising her knowledge and experience of compliance in laboratory testing environments, Kay moved into quality management and has since worked as the Quality Manager for British Transport Police and private digital forensic company, IntaForensics.  Her employment progressed to Head of Quality for Forensic Access Group before creating her own bespoke consultancy business helping organisations understand and implement quality standards.

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Kay is a positive and engaging expert with a ‘can do’ approach to the accreditation process.  Our workshop is designed to support and encourage investigators, analysts, and digital forensics staff to enhance their knowledge and understanding of this important quality development.

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The day will include:

• Overview of current quality landscape

 

• An overview of the current quality landscape and the origins of the FSR Code and ISO 17025/17020.

 

• The role of UKAS in the compliance regime.  We will look at the aims and objectives of the compliance regime and the ethos behind it.

 

• A look at key roles in your force or organisation who are responsible for ensuring compliance including: Quality Manager, Technical Management, and Senior Accountable Individual (SAI)

 

• Quality Management System (QMS)

 

• Technical Requirements

 

• An overview of the FSR Code of Practice and the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

 

• Transition from CoPC to Statutory Code, major changes.  Legal position and UKAS transition process

 

Benefits, challenges and practical advice; a step-by-step approach about how the new requirements impact digital investigation activity

We will also consider the benefits and challenges the compliance regime presents to the operational investigator and provide sound advice and best practice to ensure you are able to meet the requirements.

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We will then take you through the key stages of the digital investigation process and talk you through how The Code and ISO 17025/17020 standards apply to, and will impact on, this work moving forward.

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These stages include:

• The Crime Scene

• Data/Evidence collection

• Preservation and storage of evidence

• Case Management Process

• Reporting and the Court Room – giving evidence

 

We will provide information on reporting and declarations of compliance and non-compliance with the Code of Practice.

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There will also be an open session where we will discuss any questions and share best practice to ensure you are comfortable with the current regime.

 

AGENDA - BST

9.20am-9.30am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins

 

9.30am-10.20am: Session One – Introduction, the context - an overview of the current quality landscape and the origins of the FSR Code and ISO 17025/17020. The role of UKAS in the compliance regime.  Aims and objectives of the compliance regime and the ethos behind it.

 

10.20am-10.30am: Questions

10.30am-10.50am: Break

 

10.50am-11.40am: Session Two – The code, legal position - an overview of the FSR Code of Practice and the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021, the legal position and how it impacts on digital investigation activity

 

11.40am-11.50am: Questions

11.50am-12.20pm: Break

 

12.20pm-1.10pm: Session Three – Operational application - an operational overview of how the Code and ISO 17025/17020 standards apply to,and will impact on digital investigation activity.

 

1.10pm-1.20pm: Questions

1.20pm-1.30pm: Break

 

1.30pm-2.30pm: Session Four – Operational application contd

 

2.30pm-3pm: Session Five - Open session to discuss any questions and share best practice to ensure delegates are comfortable with the current regime.

 

3pm: Workshop finishes

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HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £209.75 + VAT (GBP) per delegate (LEA and Government Agency rate).  £299.75 + VAT (Industry rate). 

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Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

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Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information. 

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Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card (corporate card fees apply + 3%). ​The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.