This Technical Bulletin outlines the process for the completion of a readiness review for Milestone 1 – FSA-INC 100, in line with the requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR).
In progression towards compliance to the FSR Code of Practice (the Code) Version 2 the Regulator’s Office has developed a milestone approach. This approach identifies a pathway to achieve full compliance to the Code.
Milestone 1 is required to be completed by 6th April 2027 and relates to the minimum technical scope and competency requirements of a forensic unit as has been defined by the FSR. In order that the FSR can assess a forensic units’ state of compliance with this milestone the Regulator’s Office has worked with UKAS to develop a readiness review process.
The assessment process involves two key stages.
- Stage 1: UKAS to complete a review of the forensic units’ processes, procedures and records against the requirements of Milestone 1. The review has been closely developed alongside the FSR such that UKAS will complete an independent review and provide a Readiness Review Report to the FSR and the forensic unit outlining the compliance status of the unit against the defined clauses within the core Code, V2 and Specific Requirements, section 90.2.
- Stage 2 will be completed by the FSR who will subsequently notify the forensic unit of their state of compliance against Milestone 1.
It is important to note that the process completed by UKAS is a review of the forensic unit against the core Code and Specific Requirements section 90.2 for FSA-INC 100. It is not an assessment and therefore will make no formal findings requiring close out actions or recommendation as to whether a forensic unit is compliant with Milestone 1 or the Code V2. Compliance to Milestone 1 will be considered and reported by the FSR.
The review process
UKAS has prepared a Review Template for the readiness review process which is available here, or by emailing UKAS at [email protected]. This Template provides full details of what is required in order that UKAS can carry out its review, including a booking form so that the forensic unit can book and plan its readiness review. All forensic units are encouraged to review this Template at their earliest convenience and complete and submit the booking form as soon as practicable to ensure they have secured a booking slot ahead of the milestone compliance deadline.
The first stage of the readiness review is for the forensic unit to complete the Review Template, Appendix 2 and return this to UKAS along with all supporting documentation a minimum of 4 weeks prior to their scheduled on-site visit.
UKAS will initially carry out a desktop review of this documentation to establish the current state of readiness against milestone 1 and in preparation for the on-site review.
The on-site review will provide an opportunity for the forensic unit to demonstrate to UKAS its current systems and processes for achieving milestone 1 and provide evidence of their implementation. It will also enable UKAS to raise any questions regarding the provided documentation in the Readiness Review Template.
Following the on-site visit UKAS will prepare a readiness review report outlining the areas which have been covered, information provided and a summary of the overarching review of the forensic unit against Milestone 1 from the perspective of UKAS. This report will be issued to the forensic unit and the FSR.
Note:
- The on-site review will not involve any witnessing of procedures or activities, only a discussion of processes with relevant members of staff (Quality Management and Technical Leads for Incident Scene Examination (ISE)).
- The on-site review will require physical demonstration of systems, records and processes in practice to demonstrate implementation.
- UKAS will not be producing any findings or requirement for follow-up actions as a result of this review.
- It is not the remit of UKAS to assess whether a unit is compliant with Milestone 1.
Assessment efforts
The assessment effort required to undertake the review is expected to include 1 technical assessor, with a total effort of approximately 2.5 days. This will be confirmed in the estimate sent by UKAS.
However, this is dependent on the supply and quality of information received from the forensic unit as well as its structure and complexity and will be refined for each forensic unit during the booking process. Appendix 2 of the Readiness Review Template clearly sets out the requirements for the provision of information to UKAS. If the received information is not clearly defined as requested this may result in a further allocation of time required for the review and the forensic unit ultimately missing the Milestone 1 compliance deadline. Any such eventualities will be discussed with the forensic unit at the earliest identified point.
Schedule of accreditation
The process being carried out by UKAS is a readiness review report. It does not form part of an accreditation assessment and therefore UKAS will not publish on an accreditation schedule any information in relation to the review of a forensic unit.
If you have any queries in relation to the above, please contact your Assessment Manager or Philip Avenell (Accreditation Specialist Forensics) at [email protected].
Download a pdf copy of this Technical Bulletin here.