This Technical Bulletin outlines the process of transition to Version 2 (V2) of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice (FSR CoP) for FSA – MTP 101: Friction ridge detail: comparison.
V2 of the FSR CoP came into effect on 2 October 2025 and forensic units have now transitioned, as appropriate to their schedules, to the new version.
The transition focused on the most significant changes made in V2, covering the core Code (Parts A, B and C) and any aspects relevant to the current scope of the forensic unit in the FSA Specific Requirements (Part D3), with the exception of three FSAs.
During the creation of V2 the Forensic Science Regulator took the opportunity to make significant amendments to these three FSAs: Incident Scene Examination (FSA – INC 100), Friction Ridge Detail Comparison (FSA – MTP 101) and s5A Drugs Driving Analysis (FSA – DTN 102). The transition of each of these did not happen as part of the initial transition as they will require additional effort from forensic units to ensure their quality management systems are updated to meet the changes in the required scope of accreditation and the introduction of new regulatory requirements. Therefore, each of these FSA’s have been given separate consideration with regards to transition to V2 of the Code and new dates set by the Regulator for when compliance in each FSA is to be achieved.
Forensic units that undertake FSA – MTP 101 are now able to request assessment for transition to V2 of the FSA specific requirements: MTP 101, therefore allowing these qualifying organisations to demonstrate compliance to the FSA specific requirements when it comes into force on 2 October 2026.
Transition process
The UKAS transition process to FSR CoP V2 for FSA – MTP 101 will review the changes within the FSA specific requirements for Friction Ridge Detail: Comparison.
As with the FSR CoP transition from V1 to V2, UKAS will undertake the assessment of compliance through a desktop review utilising a Transition Template. This Transition Template requests forensic units to demonstrate that certain key changes have been addressed, this will be through outlining the changes that have been made and / or through the provision of associated documentation.
UKAS will provide the Transition Template to all qualifying forensic units by 14 November 2025.
This will allow time for forensic units to conduct a full review of the FSR CoP V2, focusing on FSA- MTP 101 specific requirements and identify the changes required to their management systems and subsequently update and implement related policies and procedures.
The completed Transition Templates will be required to be returned to UKAS by 17 July 2026 to allow time to for UKAS to conduct the desktop reviews of all qualifying forensic units. Forensic units may submit their Transition Templates prior to this date. UKAS will review received Transition Templates for assessment and, if successful, updated schedules will be issued as soon as the assessment process is complete.
Forensic units can submit their Transition Templates after 17 July 2026; however, UKAS cannot guarantee the assessment process will be completed by 2 October 2026.
Transition scope
This transition desktop assessment covers the compliance to V2 of the Codes specific requirements – FSA – MTP 101 for the existing scope of accreditation of the forensic unit only. The purpose of this transition is to address key changes to policy, procedure and validation to ensure it covers all sources of FRD as stated in clause 96.6.2, e.g. plantar ridge detail.
This transition is not intended to assess additional sub-activities which are not covered by the forensic unit’s current scope of accreditation. If you require additional sub-activities, these must be requested via a separate application of extension to scope (AC4). This includes the processing of digital images of friction ridge skin.
Assessment effort
The assessment effort required to undertake the desktop assessment for transition from V2 for FSA- MTP 101 will vary depending on the complexity and size of the scope of the forensic unit. The efforts required for a specific organisation will be confirmed upon receipt of the Transition Template and communicated to the forensic unit at that time. It is currently anticipated that the effort will be between 1 and 1.5 days.
Schedule of accreditation
The UKAS schedule of accreditation produced as a result of the transition to V2 for FSA – MTP 101 will include the version number of the FSR CoP against this FSA to reflect that the organisation has successfully transitioned. In addition, the schedule of accreditation will be updated to reflect the sub-activities of this FSA as outlined in the Code.
Grant of transition
The outcome of the desktop assessment will be independently reviewed by a UKAS decision-maker to ensure an appropriate and robust assessment has been conducted. UKAS will inform the forensic unit, at this point, if compliance to the FSR CoP V2 for this FSA has been demonstrated or if this is subject to the review of evidence required to support any findings that may have been raised.
It has been agreed with the Forensic Science Regulator that the grant of accreditation for qualifying organisations that have demonstrated compliance and successfully transitioned to V2 of the FSR CoP for FSA – MTP 101 will be made on successful completion of the assessment activities. Any forensic units which have not completed the transition process by 2 October 2026 will have their schedules of accreditation amended such that this FSA activity is only accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and no longer includes accreditation to the Code.
Inclusion of V2 in assessments post submission of the Transition Template
Any UKAS assessments (surveillance, reassessment, or extension to scope) that are completed following the submission of the Transition Template by a forensic unit may review the implementation of the documentation provided for the transition and will include assessment with the relevant aspects of the FSR CoP for FSA – MTP 101: Friction ridge detail: comparison.
If you have any queries in relation to the above, please contact your Assessment Manager or Philip Avenell (Accreditation Specialist Forensics): [email protected].
Download a pdf copy of this Technical Bulletin here.