Forensic toxicology standards
We are consulting on adopting the standards produced by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT).
The role of the Regulator includes ensuring appropriate standards are developed, implemented and maintained for areas of forensic science. The Regulator can develop standards, work with others to jointly develop standards or can adopt standards which have been created by others.
The Regulator’s normal approach is to require accreditation to a suitable international standard and to demand compliance with the Regulator’s Codes of Practice and Conduct. The latter deals with general matters in the main body of the Codes and area specific material in appendices.
In relation to forensic toxicology the Regulator is considering adopting the standards produced by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) as the area specific “appendix”. These standards are available at http://www.ukiaft.co.uk/publications under the title UKIAFT Laboratory Guidelines.
The first step is to undertake a public consultation on these standards.
Comments on the standards should be sent to FSRConsultation1@homeoffice.gov.uk and should be submitted, preferably using the form above, by 28 August 2015.