Background

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is the largest publisher of quality standards in the world. ISO develop and publish standards across multiple industries. Adherence to these standards ensures that organisations around the world conform to the same management techniques, processes, controls, quality, products and services.

ISO 17025 is the international standard for testing and calibration in forensic science labs. Essentially it is a set of requirements used to demonstrate that labs are operating a robust quality management system/framework and are competent to conduct the work that they are required to do.

Specifically, the accreditation covers a variety of areas:

Qualifications, training and experience of staff
Equipment – is it properly calibrated and maintained
Adequate quality assurance procedures are in place
Sampling and testing procedures
Measurements can be traced
Accurate recording and reporting
Suitable test facilities

Similarly to SPA Forensics, ISO 17025 has been deemed as the most appropriate and internationally recognised framework under which Digital Forensics can be assessed. It is used by police services in England and Wales and has now been formalised as a project within Police Scotland. Achieving ISO accreditation will build trust and confidence in our provision of evidential products and services to victims and witnesses.