UK Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice

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UK Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice

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The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 requires the Regulator to prepare and publish a code of practice about the carrying on of forensic science activities in England and Wales. The code builds on the existing non-statutory Codes of Practice and Conduct, and has been presented to the UK Parliament pursuant to section 3(3)(b) of the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021. Here's a sample of what's in the Code of Practice...
  • (a lot to read... looks reasonable just haven't had chance to read it all just yet...)
Part C – Standards of conduct
12. Standards of conduct
  • 12.1.1 The Regulator sets out, for all practitioners carrying out any FSA to which this Code applies (and this Code specifies compliance in the FSA definition), the values and ideals the profession stands for. These standards of conduct provide a clear statement to commissioning parties, the CJS and the public of what they have a right to expect.
  • 12.1.2 As a practitioner undertaking an FSA you shall:
    • a. recognise your overriding duty is to the court and to the administration of justice [20];
    • b. act with honesty, integrity, objectivity, and impartiality;
    • c. comply with the legal obligations imposed on practitioners (and specifically expert witnesses) in England and Wales [20];
    • d. declare, at the earliest opportunity, any personal, business, financial, and/or other interest or situation that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest;
    • e. act and, in particular, provide expert advice and evidence, only within the limits of your professional competence;
    • f. maintain and develop your professional competence, taking account of material research and developments within the relevant field;
    • g. inform those commissioning you, in writing, of any information which may reasonably be considered to undermine your credibility as a practitioner or the reliability of the material you produce and include this information with/within any written report provided to those commissioning you;
    • h. establish the integrity and continuity of items/exhibits as they come into your possession and ensure these are maintained whilst the items/exhibits remain in your possession;
    • i. seek access to items/exhibits/information that may have a significant impact on the output from your work, particularly any conclusions included in any report of evidence, and record both the request for the items/exhibits/information and the result of that request;
    • j. conduct casework using demonstrably valid methods;
    • k. be prepared to review any casework if any new information or developments are identified that would significantly impact on the output from your work, particularly any conclusions included in any report of evidence;
    • l. where you have grounds for believing a situation may result in a miscarriage of justice, ensure that the relevant commissioning party is informed either by:
      • (a) invoking the appropriate organisational processes for addressing potential miscarriages of justice; or (where you do not operate as part of an organisation or the organisation does not have appropriate procedures)
      • (b) by informing the party directly; and
    • m. preserve confidentiality unless the law obliges, a court/tribunal orders, or a commissioning party explicitly authorises disclosure.
Reference:
[20] Forensic Science Regulator, “Legal Obligations,” [Online]. Available: www.gov.uk/government/collections/fsr-legal-guidance. [Accessed 28 07 2022].