Why did we get involved?
There is a widely recognised need to ensure that the quality of forensic expert evidence is of a suitable standard. When the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) was abolished, the Society was approached by a small group of Forensic Podiatrists who had previously been registered with CRPF and who were looking for an alternative. The Society worked with them to develop a robust, fit for purpose certification model that tested their knowledge and competence to practice as a Forensic Podiatrist. Discussions within the group and within the wider forensic community gave the consensus view that there should be standard model that could be applied to the testing of competence in all Forensic disciplines. In each case the test should be designed to test the competence of an individual to carry out their specific role.
The General Forensic awareness and subject specifc assessments are both usually delivered online. When you apply to do the assessment, in any subject, you will be sent an assessment timetable which will give you the details of when and how the assessment will be delivered. Usually the Online elements are set up for you to be able to access them from any PC at any time - at a time to suit you. The questions are selected from a bank and dellivered in a random order, selecting differentt questions each time and asking them in a different order. No two assessments are therefore the same. You will only have the chance to sit this assessment once before the practical assessment day. Usually you will be asked sit the online assessments between 2 fixed dates (usually a week apart) and usually they must be completed at least 7 days before the practical assessment.
However you must ensure if you sign up to take the assessment you know your timetable.
The General awareness online assessment is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the role of the expert witness, their limitation and duties to the court. Both of the online assessments are designed to test your general forensic awareness as well as the knowledge and understanding of the technical aspects of your role. The practical and subject specifc part of the assessment are designed to test your ability to carry out the technical practicalities of the role and reach valid opinions.
To see the full extent of the work we are doing and where we are with a range of disciplines please check out our business development area
Want to get a better idea what the assessment involves? See the Classmarker platform and answer three sample questions. Follow the link
The Society's competence model has largely been designed for SMEs and Sole Traders who do not currently have formal accreditation to the appropriate ISO standards and are looking for independent support on the road to accreditation. The Society is no longer running a regsiter as experts, however the competence assessment can be used as part of the individuals traning record in a formal accreditation framework
As well as Sole Traders interest will be welcomed from individuals working for large forensic providers who wish to demonstrate a commitment to CPD and personal professional competence.
We are keen to see that individuals working in all aspects of Forensic Science are developing and taking competence seriously - it is a key part of gaining accreditated under both ISO 17020 & ISO 17025. If you are assessed by UKAS they will be keen to see your individual trainig records and also see how you have demonstarted your on going competence to do the role. As such we recommend that those taking the assessment also engage in CPD. This can take on many forms but you should commit to at least 25 points (or 25hours a year).
If you are interested in the assessment process and would like to be included in the next Special Interest Group, please register your interest by detailing your area of subject specialism to cpc@csofs.org