Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct
Codes of practice and conduct for forensic science providers and practitioners in the criminal justice system.
This collection brings together the revised codes of practice and conduct and previous versions, along with the associated appendices and guidance documents.
Some of these documents were refreshed to make them fully accessible on 22 September 2020. Previous versions of these documents can be found on The National Archives.
Codes of conduct and practice
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2021, issue 7
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2021
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2020
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2017
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2016
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2014 to 2016
- Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2011 to 2014
Appendices
- Development of evaluative opinions
- Cell site analysis
- Digital forensic services: codes of practice for forensic service providers
- Video analysis: codes of practice for forensic service providers
- Speech and audio forensic services
- Bloodstain pattern analysis: codes of practice
- DNA analysis: codes of practice and conduct
- Fingermark visualisation and imaging
- Fingerprint comparison
- Sexual assault examination: requirements for forensic science related evidence
Regulatory notices
Guidance
- DNA relationship testing using autosomal short tandem repeats
- Methods employing Rapid DNA devices
- Y-STR profiling
- Method validation in digital forensics
- Forensic science providers: validation
- Cognitive bias effects relevant to forensic science examinations
- Laboratory DNA: anti-contamination guidance
- Forensic Science Regulator: public comment guidance
- Validation: friction ridge detail (fingerprint) search algorithm
- Crime scene DNA: anti-contamination guidance
- Fingerprint examination: terminology, definitions and acronyms
- Sexual assault referral centres and custodial facilities: DNA anti-contamination
- Allele frequency databases and reporting for DNA profiling
- Proficiency testing guidance: DNA mixture analysis and interpretation
- Sexual assault examination: guidance for forensic science related evidence
Last updated 6 April 2021 + show all updates
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Guidance on DNA relationship testing using autosomal short tandem repeats added.
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Guidance on methods employing Rapid DNA devices published.
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Added guidance: Y-STR profiling.
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Added 'Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2021, issue 7'. These are the revised codes of practice and conduct for forensic science providers and practitioners in the criminal justice system. This is the seventh issue of the codes. It is issued to reinstate section 23.4 omitted in error from issue 6. These are effective from 22 March 2021 and replace all previously issued versions from that date.
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Added the Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2021 document.
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Added new document to the appendices - Development of evaluative opinions.
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Added the Regulatory Notice 03/2020: Deadline for accreditation of incident scene investigation document.
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Proficiency testing guidance on DNA mixture analysis and interpretation added.
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Guidance and requirements on sexual assault examination added.
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Added the Forensic science providers: codes of practice and conduct, 2020 document.
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Regulatory notice 01/2020 published on the effect of COVID-19 on accreditation.
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New guidance on validation friction ridge detail fingerprint search algorithm added.
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New guidance on validation friction ridge detail fingerprint search algorithm added.
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Regulatory Notice on image enhancement published.
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Updated collection.
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Guidance on terminology, fingerprint comparison and fingermark visualisation published.
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Added anti-contamination guidance for sexual assault referral centres.
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Added crime scene DNA anti-contamination guidance
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Codes of conduct and practice 2016 added to collection.
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Bloodstain pattern analysis codes of practice document published.
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Guidance on method validation added.
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First published.