Competency, Education, Research, Testing, Accreditation, and Innovation in Forensic Science: CERTAIN-FORS

Programme(s): Internal Security Fund Police-Police cooperation

Topic(s): ISFP-2020-AG-IBA-ENFSI

Type of action: ISF-Police Action Grant

Project ID: 101051099

Objective

The EU Vision for European Forensic Science 2020 with the creation of a European Forensic Science Area (EFSA 2020) has been a key initiative over many years, promoting cooperation between EU Member States. ENFSI has been a vital player in delivering relevant actions and is currently discussing a follow-on, broad EU initiative post-2020. This remains critical, because forensic science retains an increasing part in combatting cross-border crime (e.g. terrorism, people trafficking, organised crime). The CERTAIN-FORS project represents further steps towards the developmental areas identified in the EFSA action plans. Specific forensic areas being addressed are accreditation, education & competency, innovation & research, and testing. The work involves the collaboration of expert teams from the ENFSI community with 11 specific activities (with general aims highlighted): • UNLOCK - fUNdamentaL fOrensiC Knowledge (Training in basic forensic concepts) • Development of E-Learning Concept Phase 2 (Training for textile experts) • Training and competence assessment for Forensic Handwriting Experts (Training for handwriting experts) • Establishment of a Trace DNA Transfer Rate Repository & Bayes Net to Calculate LRs (Understanding the transfer of DNA) • App Analyses and Reference Database Solution (Investigating the origins of mobile device information) • Forensic Multilingual Voices Database (Developing speaker identification methodology) • Development of a New PT on the Interpretation of GSR Findings (Improving quality of gunshot residue work) • Multidisciplinary Proficiency Test and Collaborative Exercises in Forensics (Improving quality when examining several evidence types an an exhibit) • Benchmarking of Proficiency Tests for the Fingerprint Domain (Developing PTs for fingerprint work) • Fingerprint WG Best Practice Manual 2nd Ed. (Updating the current fingerprint BPM) • European Day - Dissemination Event (Promoting EU funded forensic collaboration over the last decade).