The Forensic Science Regulator ('FSR') has published new Guidance on Forensic Science Activities: Interpretation and Communication. The Guidance sets out principles and expectations covering all types of interpretation of observations and communication of opinion in Forensic Science Activities ('FSAs'). It applies to all report types. The guidance supports the delivery of balanced, robust, transparent, and logical expert opinion within the Criminal Justice System and applies to:
a. All FSAs subject to the Regulator’s Code of Practice.
b. All practitioners, regardless of their role and whether they consider themselves to be expert witnesses or not, who carry out FSAs and provide evidence that would be expected to be outside the court’s knowledge and experience.
This Guidance supports the part of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice that sets out requirements for reporting results, including interpretation and opinion development (specifically section 31 in version 2 of the Code). It also supports compliance with obligations under the Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Practice Directions
The EWI provided a response to the FSR's consultation on the Guidance.
The new Guidance is available here.