The Society has been accrediting the forensic content of full degree programmes in forensic science since 2006. The scheme for the Educational Accreditation is normally applicable to BSc and MSc programmes in which a cohort of students has completed the programme in its entirety. The Society acknowledges that rather than assessing a programme on completion it may be beneficial to the institution if the Society could assess the forensic content at a much earlier stage, ideally after validation or during the first year. The quality of the forensic science delivered in such cases can then be improved in line with the Society recommendations before the first cohort of students graduate. As a result the Society has developed a Conditional Educational Accreditation (CEA) Scheme.
A full assessor panel will review the programme outline and there will be an assessor visit during each of the years of the programme. Educational Accreditation will only be granted after the programme has been completed and provided all appropriate Component Standards are met. After each assessor visit, the university will be informed of any conditions, requirements and recommendations for CEA. The major benefit of CAE is that the Institution can use it as a marketing tool to aid recruitment to programmes in these early years.