The CSFS Accreditation Sub-Committee have recently reviewed the Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence (IEPE), Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Laboratory Analysis (LA) Component Standards. The Guidelines for Implementation are as follows:
| November 2017 |
Publication of IEPE, CSI & LA Revised Component Standards (v2017-1) |
| November 2017 - 31 May 2019 |
Institutions with existing programmes accredited against the Educational Accreditation Scheme can be assessed against EITHER the Component Standards (v2016-1) or the new Component Standards (v2017-1)
Institutions can re-map against against the newly published standard (v2017-1)at any point during their 5/6 year cycle. Following re-mapping the institution will be assessed against the new standards at the next visit (either Surveillance or Accreditation Visit)**.
New applications for Educational Accreditation can be assessed against either v2016-1 or v2017-1
|
| 1 June 2019 onwards |
Institutions with existing programmes accredited against the Educational Accreditation Scheme only be assessed against the new Component Standards (v2017-1)
New applications for Educational Accreditation MUST be assessed against new Component Standards (v2017-1)
|
| by 1 November 2020 |
**ALL universities must have been assessed against the Revised Component Standards (v2017-1) and MUST have undertaken an assessment visit (either Surveillance or Accreditation) |
The remaining Component Standards, Digital Forensics and Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Archaeology are not affected.
To apply, please complete the application form and the appropriate matrices*** and submit to the Educational Quality Standards Administrator at accreditation@csofs.org
*** if mapping against Component Standards v2016-1 use matrix version v2016-1 and if mapping against Component Standards v2017-1 use matrix version v2017-1
Core Standard
All Educational Accredited courses will need to meet the Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence (IEPE) Component Standard. This covers the essentials of a forensic course.
Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence (IEPE) Undergraduate v2017-1
Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence (IEPE) Postgraduate inc MSci programmes v2017-1
Forensic and Crime Scene Sciences
The Educational Accreditation process focuses on the three essential elements of a forensic case, crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis and interpretation of the scene/laboratory results. The specific requirements can be consulted on the topics below.
Crime Scene Investigation v2017-1
Laboratory Analysis v2017-1
All three areas (including IEPE) will be assessed in general courses (i.e. BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation), although it is possible to be accredited for only two elements should the course be more focused (e.g. BSc (Hons) Forensic Biology may not contain Crime Scene components). This decision will be made by the Chair of the Accreditation Sub-Committee and the assessment team.
Digital Forensics
The two Digital Forensics Component Standards have recently been reviewed and as a result one new component standard has been produced. The specific requirements can be consulted on the topics below.
Digital Forensics v2016-1
The digital forensics component standard plus IEPE will be assessed in specific digital/computer type courses (e.g. BSc (Hons) Digital Forensics/MSc Digital Forensics). A university/institution could still apply with the traditional approach of three component standards but, for digital the norm would be expected to be the two component standards IEPE and Digital Forensics.
Forensic Anthropology & Forensic Archaeology
Forensic Anthropology v2016-1
Forensic Archaeology v2016-1
All three areas (including IEPE) will be assessed in specific forensic anthropology/archaeology type courses (i.e. BSc (Hons) Forensic Anthropology), although it is possible to be accredited for only two of the above standards it is generally expected that accreditation will be against all three. This decision will be made by the Chair of the Accreditation Sub-Committee and the assessment team.
The Accreditation Sub-Committee (ASC) regularly review its component standards and the latest versions are always on the web site. Changes are necessary to ensure the component standards reflect the quality requirements within industry and as industry changes so will the component standards.
The National Occupational Standards are applicable to various employment roles whilst the Society's Component Standards are invaluable in addressing the educational and development needs pertaining to relevant roles in the forensic field.