Further detail on the ISO 17025 Project can be found in the briefing paper presented by CS Conrad Trickett (Business Lead, Policing in a Digital World Programme) at the SPA Forensics Services Committee on 04 May 2023 (Appendix A -May 2023 Item 7 SPA Forensics Service Committee ISO 17025).

In addition to the background of ISO 17025 Project, the briefing paper outlined the following:

• The staged approach to both the scope of accreditation and implementation across the 5 existing Digital Forensic 

• Update in respect of commencement of the Project, the associated timeline and introduction (June 2022) of the Quality 

• Scheduling and delivery of training has been completed to broaden understanding of ISO 17025 accreditation.  

Progress since date of last reporting (May 2023)

Adoption of ISO principles

The detailed work of documenting the process undertaken in relation to Mobile Phones was progressed through 2023, initial plans were to complete each site independently.  Further review established and recognised the benefits of progressing each Lab to steady state would provide greater clarity and understanding, ensuring each lab had sufficient time to absorb and work within the principles laid out. Aberdeen Digital Forensic Lab has begun its Steady State with Documents and processes in place as a pre-requisite for UKAS Assessment, these have been uploaded to the Quality Assurance module of our Digital Forensics Case Management system. Any further changes will adopt the change management process and be 

captured on the Quality Assurance System.

The planned assessments dates have not altered following the change request approval captured in Appendix B.  These dates remain as is, these however may move to the right due to UKAS contract agreement. The reporting baseline remains with a project completion date of June 2026.

Appendix B - ISO 17025 Project Timeline All Hubs – this details the sequence of accreditation by Hub location. At the conclusion of this cycle, on the assumption that re-accreditation will be achieved at already accredited locations, the scope of accreditation would then as previously planned be expanded to include computers as the Project moved from Programme activity to business as a usual (BAU).

Contractual update

Contract Negotiations between Police Scotland and UKAS are progressing with a view to moving toward agreement in the following areas: -

• UKAS, Police Scotland are looking to achieve final agreement on one outstanding area, this is expected to be resolved by financial year end.

• UKAS Accreditation timescales confirmed upon contract agreement / Sign off and Police Scotland Application submission accepted and approved.

• A UKAS Liaison Officer will be appointed upon User Agreement completion to work with Police Scotland to prepare for Assessment.

It is understood that the plotted accreditation dates of each hub will reflect the delay in contract agreements, however, the planned project end date will remain unchanged. 

The quality team have been in post and established from June 2022, the current Quality Assurance Manager post has been recently vacated and it is expected that this post will be filled prior to formal accreditation. The Policing in a Digital World Programme (PDWP) continue to ensure that the ISO 17025 Project and the wider Programme activity is aligned, where applicable with the NPCC Digital Forensic Portfolio. This is to ensure Police Scotland’s strategy is underpinned by standards, accreditation, Ethical and Legal governance consistent with the UK approach. 

PDWP have kept oversight of developments associated to the Forensic Science Regulator and the regime of scientific quality standards and good practice that are set to encompass all forensic science services In England and Wales. PDWP have met with the regulator to understand the codes of practice. A number of workshops and workstreams have been established across the business areas with the expectation of Police Scotland aligning where possible to the codes laid out.