Report Summary
This report provides members of the Forensic Services Committee with an overview of Digital Forensics – Next Steps and Timeline for Progression.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Forensic Services Committee - 7 August 2025
Date : 07 August 2025
Location : Online
Quality Assurance and Technical Assurance Team Resource
The ISO 17025 Project Team were restored to full complement with the newly appointed Quality Assurance Officer being in post on 5 May 2025.
On 22 October 2024 approval was provided at the Joint ISO 17025/DF Redesign Project Board to request the creation of two additional posts.
- Cybercrime Technical Assurance Manager grade 8 role (1FTE)
- Cybercrime Technical Assurance Officer grade 6 role (1FTE)
Both roles will sit within SCD Cybercrime Digital Forensics.
These posts have been assessed by pay and grading and a review of vacant SCD staffing posts was conducted in a bid to secure a funding stream however no suitable vacant posts were identified.
The uplift of a Cybercrime Technical Assurance Manager and a Technical Assurance Officer are required to plan, schedule and manage ongoing validation and verification activities.
The Technical Assurance Team will also coordinate Police Scotland’s participation in Proficiency Testing which is required to further demonstrate staff competence and validity of results. These activities shall need to be in place prior to inviting UKAS for a pre-assessment.
A submission for additional resources to supplement the Quality Assurance team at present (3 FTE), and the new Technical Assurance team (2FTE) will be required to support to obtain and maintain accreditation for Police Scotland.
Evidence to support the additional resources will be collated throughout this year 2025 as we record and review the duration and volume of Quality Assurance audits and Technical Assurance audits, which will include the management of any corrective actions required thus ensuring a fit for purpose resource model can be achieved.
At the conclusion of this task is it envisaged an update to the additional resources will be brought through relevant governance and presented to this board spring 2026.