FIRMS Approved Forensic Practitioners

The FIRMS Network is now certified to the international quality standard ISO9001 for the approval of forensic practitioners in the field of isotope forensics.

FIRMS Approval provides an assurance of Evidentiary Reliability and involves assessment against a set of criteria established by the FIRMS Steering Group. The FIRMS Regulatory Framework for Approval includes the following elements; organisation, methods, underlying science, individuals, case work, and quality management.

The subject of Approval is a Lead Practitioner (a named individual) working in a specified area of isotope forensic practice, in a specified organisation, and using specified methods and procedures. The Approval period is four years.

FIRMS maintains a list of Approved Lead Practitioners for consideration by law enforcement agents, lawyers and other potential customers. The list is available on the FIRMS web site (see table below).

Forensic practitioners in the field of isotope forensics who are interested in seeking FIRMS Approval should contact FIRMS. Candidates for Approval will be sent further details together with an initial assessment questionnaire.