Hi Folks
I live in the UK (London) and trying to find out whether there is a similar or equivalent body to this in America ASCLD American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors which would certify your FORENSIC LAB in the UK or maybe something in EU
Many thanks
Sam.
Hi.
There isn't that I am aware of. However, if you are interested in certification, I think that you might do worse than to consider going for something like ISO 9001, or possibly ISO 17025 ( this one is certainly relevant to meatspace forensics - don't know how well it would transfer to digital … ), ISO 27001 is quite reassuring as well …
A quick look around suggests that QCC, The Forensic Science Service and DiskLabs are all 9001 certified …
As an aside, if anyone wants to professionally discuss ISO or BS standards PM me 😉
I think that you might do worse than to consider going for something like ISO 9001, or possibly ISO 17025 ( this one is certainly relevant to meatspace forensics - don't know how well it would transfer to digital … ), ISO 27001 is quite reassuring as well …
The problem that I see for where the OP is headed is that the ISO standards are too generic. They depend on an intermediate agency to take (using 17025 as an example) the generic standard for estabilishing a certification body and translate that into standards that can be complied with. ISO asks more "is there a process?" not "do you comply with this process?" As I understant the OP, is looking for the latter. IMHO, of course.
ISO asks more "is there a process?" not "do you comply with this process?" As I understant the OP, is looking for the latter. IMHO, of course.
I see the point that you are making - however whilst ISO certainly _is_ asking "Is there a process in place ?" it also asks "Are you complying with that process ?" and "Can you prove it ?" … Usually that last question requires 6 months of records of process usage. ( 3 minimum … )
I agree that these aren't going to provide a specific set of guidelines for our OP to follow. Another pointer for a standard ! 😉
I couldn't agree more. Who's to establish the standard? ACPO? ISFCE?
I couldn't agree more. Who's to establish the standard? ACPO? ISFCE?
Ay, there's the rub … 😉
IMHO there are one or two people - not far from this very thread wink - who spring to mind as potentially very suitable candidates to lead such an effort…
So is there any legislation at place, I'm familiar with ISO27001 or BS 7799 but this is mainly about Information Security which covers some aspects of the Forensic LAB, let's say we follow this guidelines and procedures entitled in this standards but who will accredit us that our laboratory can do such work?
If you are accrediting to an ISO standard Google is your friend -)
BSI is probably the best known, but in my opinion, not necessarily the best or most appropriate - find someone you feel that you can work with if you wish to pursue this route.
Anything apart of that and ACPO?