New Multi-Disciplinary Forensic Proficiency Test Service

“Proficiency tests For Forensic Scientists Designed By Forensic Scientists

Forensic Access, the UK’s leading, independent forensic science provider, operating at the heart of forensic science since 1986, is pleased to announce the launch of the Forensic Proficiency Testing Service.

The Need For Proficiency Testing

The adoption of ISO/IEC 17025 and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice both include the requirement for proficiency testing, including as a way of demonstrating “consistent, reproducible, valid and reliable results that are compatible with the results of other competent staff”.

From our market research, including a survey undertaken across providers in many different sectors (police, commercial providers and Government sector organisations) we know that the industry is in need of a new style of proficiency test to meet these important and ongoing demands.

Forensic Proficiency Testing Services (FPTS)

Until today, the majority of proficiency tests used by UK forensic science providers come from overseas. However, respondents to our survey were very vocal in wanting proficiency tests that offered something different. We have built their requirements into FPTS kits which, as a result, are:

• in-tune with current UK forensic science requirements and methods;
• realistic and challenging: tests that are designed to reflect real case scenarios;
• competitively priced and offer both scheduled schemes (for inter-laboratory comparisons) and on-demand (for training and internal use).

FPTS Pilot

Today we announce the launch of our first Body Fluid kits in a Scheduled Scheme. In the next few weeks we will launch a Scheduled Fingerprint Proficiency Test, followed shortly after by a Digital Forensics Scheme initially featuring mobile phones. During this pilot, and as we seek accreditation to ISO/IE 17043, we are offering our kits at a discount price from our new web store at: www.forensic-proficiency.co.uk. You can also contact us by email: fpts@forensic-access.co.uk or phone: 01865 595458.

Comment

Forensic Access’ Chief Executive, Prof Angela Gallop, CBE commented “Forensic Access is just about to celebrate 30 years of providing quality, multi-disciplinary forensic science services across the Criminal Justice System. The Forensic Proficiency Testing Service is built on this extensive knowledge of crime, forensic science and providing quality services at competitive prices”.

Editors’ Notes

Resources for Journalists and the Media

More information on Forensic Access can be found on our website at www.forensic-access.co.uk.

The Need For Proficiency Testing

1. Requirements of “ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories”
   ISO 17025 refers to Proficiency Testing in 3 places:
2. Section 4.4 “Review of requests, tenders and contracts”
3. Section 4.12 “Preventive action”
4. Section 4.15 “Management reviews”
5. The Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice and Conduct
   Reference to Proficiency testing here includes:
6. Section 14 “Control of non-conforming testing (ISO 17025:2005 ref. 4.9)”
7. Section 20.9 “Validation of interpretive methods”
8. Section 24 . “Assuring the quality of test results (ISO 17025:2005 ref. 5.9)”

Against this background, there is no escape from the need to be involved in proficiency testing programmes for forensic science providers seeking to achieve or maintain accreditation to ISO 17025 and/or comply with the Regulator’s Codes.

Forensic Access Limited

Forensic Access Limited is a privately owned company which was established in 1986 in the wake of some high-profile miscarriages of justice that featured forensic science. The twin areas of focus, expert forensic critique and outstanding technical assistance in individual cases, reflect the company’s main goal of helping to ensure safe and sustainable forensic science evidence in court.

We are privileged to have some of the country’s leading forensic scientists working for Forensic Access. In addition to our full time staff, we currently work with 300 consultants covering all the general forensic services and many more in highly specialised areas. These consultants are some of the most highly regarded scientists in their field with international reputations. They are at the peak of their profession and, those to whom it was applicable, were CRFP accredited.

For further information please contact:

Mr Roger Robson, Managing Director, Forensic Access Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 595458.

Email: fpts@forensic-access.co.uk      www.forensic-proficiency.co.uk