So you have decided that you are interested in applying to get some of your Forensic Science courses accredited by us. In the first instance, the university should make contact with the Chair of Accreditation on accreditation@csofs.org or alternatively you can call the Society on +44 (0)1423 534 646. The aim of this is to briefly discuss the course(s) and help to point you in the right direction of the things you should consider before you proceed.
Before we get started with the process and issue you with a quotation we need you to complete some basic contact information.
You should download and complete the application form and matrices as appropriate. All applicants must complete the Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence Component Standard plus at least one other - if you are unsure how to proceed please contact accreditation@csofs.org or call the office on +44 (0)1423 534 646
The Society will consider the application and contact the university if there are any queries to discuss. If there are no queries, the Society will issue a formal quotation to the university which must be signed and returned (along with a Purchase Order Form) to confirm their intention to continue.
The Society will then liaise with the university to agree an assessor panel and date for the visit.
The university will be advised to upload pre-visit information via the website.
After we have arranged a visit but before the panel will attend the university must upload all relevant pre-visit documentation as outlined on the Aide Memoire.
This information must be submitted at least one month in advance of the agreed visit date. Information received after this date may result in a further accreditation visit date being arranged and additional costs.
The Society will send confirmation that the information has been received and will liaise regarding any further arrangements for the visit, including advising on what information is required for the visit date itself.
The outcome of the accreditation visit will be communicated to the university as soon as practical afterwards. Successful applicants will have details of their courses added to the list of accredited courses. The university will then be invited to attend the next available Awards Dinner (normally held at the beginning of November each year) so they can be presented with their Certificate.
The university courses that receive accreditation will be reviewed on an annual basis by a series of paper surveillance and full surveillance visits.