Introduction

In 2023, the Office of the Forensic Science Regulator (OFSR) commissioned the Forensic Capability Network (FCN) to design a Collaborative Learning Exercise (CLE) for Cell Site Analysis for Geolocation when conducting Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys (RFPS). The CLE aimed to support organisation’s in achieving compliance with the Regulator’s Code of Practice (the Code). The first CLE was concluded in May 2024, and a second followed in 2025, expanding to include Forensic Service Providers (FSPs) alongside policing.

The OFSR has now commissioned the FCN to deliver the next phase of the CLE, again focused on cell site analysis for geolocation using RFPS. This phase will test approaches to:

  • Identifying the possible geolocation of a device and locations of interest.
  • Interpreting RF propagation survey results.
  • Processing and normalising call data records (CDRs).
  • Reporting of results for the forensic activity undertaken.
  • Compliance against the FSR Code for reporting of results.

This third CLE will continue to support both policing and commercial FSPs as they work towards or maintain compliance with the Code including accreditation.

Plan and timescale

The provisional plan is for the FCN to generate the communication data for a simulated scenario in the surrounding area of Coventry between 1st – 12th December 2025. It is envisioned that participating organisations will receive an electronic package containing instructions and communication data records to commence from the 12th January 2026 for participants to conduct their radio frequency propagation surveys and analysis for the simulated scenario.

The CLE exercise will close on the 6th March 2026 by which time organisations are expected to submit their results as set out in the participation package, only one submission per organisation will be reviewed.

Criteria for participation

To be considered for participation organisations or individuals must have a registered Senior Accountable Individual (SAI) with the OFSR at the time of EOI closure.

To complete the exercise organisations will need to have access to the equipment and / or software to conduct RFPS and follow their own documented standard operating procedures throughout the process.

Reporting and feedback

The following feedback will be provided upon completion of the CLE:

  • Overall findings report – commonly identified themes, issues, and trends.
  • Participant specific report – overall results against expected outcomes and any issues identified.
  • Collaborative workshop to discuss results, common themes, best practice, and any learning points.

Organisation may wish for more than one individual to undertake any of the activities for the simulated scenario; however, only one individuals’ result should be submitted on behalf of the organisation. Following the release of each organisations specific report, your organisation may conduct its own internal review or evaluation to reflect on performance and identify any learning and development opportunities.

Terms of Participation

This document does not purport to be all inclusive or to contain all of the information that organisations may require. We reserve the right to: amend, clarify, or terminate any part of this CLE at any time.

The FCN, or any authority involved in this CLE, shall not reimburse any costs incurred in connection with the participation in this CLE and/or submission of any response to this request.

The publication of this EOI in no way commits the FCN to any contractual or financial agreement. Nothing in this document should be relied upon as a promise or a representation as to the Authority's ultimate decisions in relation to the CLE.

The FCN may exclude any Participant in this CLE that fails to comply fully with the requirements of this CLE or fails to provide to the FCN information requested to ensure requirements are met, or wilful omission or misrepresentation in its responses.

The FCN may exclude any Participant in this CLE where there is a change in identity, control, financial standing, or other factor impacting on the Provider, which could affect or would have affected the invitation to participate in this CLE.

Participating organisations will be expected to complete a data sharing agreement with the CLE lead Police Force.

Confidentiality

The FCN may disclose information submitted in response to this EOI, to its officers, employees, agents or advisers or other government departments who are stakeholders in the CLE.

In the event of any identified unsatisfactory performance in the CLE, the organisation or individual will be advised to make a self-referral to the Regulator. Please note that FCN will have a duty to report any such issues to the Regulator if this is not done in a timely manner.

If an organisation considers any part of its response to be confidential or commercially sensitive, it should clearly identify such information as confidential or commercially sensitive.

The FCN reserves the right to make all, or part of the Information produced as a result of this CLE available to UK law enforcement agencies.

Participants grant the FCN an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to copy, amend and reproduce any results, findings, conclusions, or intellectual property produced from this CLE, for the purposes of carrying out the FCN’s business activities.

About the FCN

We are an organisation funded by NPCC and hosted by Dorset Police. Our main role is to support the priorities of the NPCC forensic portfolio and police force forensic leaders across digital forensics, marketplace, quality, workforce, performance and more.

We believe by bringing together the forensic and policing communities with key stakeholders, we can help shape forensics and deliver better outcomes for the public and victims of crime.

The FCN’s approach which guides everything we do is as follows:

  • We deliver
  • We’re here to help
  • We’re a single point of contact for forensics in policing
  • We bring people together
  • We take a national view

For more information, and to contact us, visit www.fcn.police.uk

The FCN is hosted by Dorset Police on behalf of the NPCC. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset is the Contracting Authority on behalf of the FCN.

Expression of Interest

If you wish to submit an expression of interest to participate in the CLE for cell site analysis for geolocation, please click the link to complete the MS Form by 28th November 2025, if you encounter any technicalities completing the form please email to FCNDigital@dorset.pnn.police.uk.

The FCN may disclose information submitted in response to this EOI, to the Office of Forensic Science Regulator.

Background information

The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Act 2021 required the FSR to prepare and publish a code of practice for Forensic Science Activity (FSAs), in England and Wales. The subsequent Forensic Science Regulator: Code of Practice, referred to as ‘the Code’, was published in March 2023 and sets out the model for regulation of forensic science in England and Wales.

The Code defines activities that are FSAs and divides these into FSAs to which the Code applies and those to which this version of the Code does not apply. Additionally, the Code defines the requirements for each forensic unit undertaking an FSA to which the Code applies to operate an effective quality management system and, where stated, achieve and maintain accreditation to a suitable international standard.

Cell site analysis for geolocation is defined as an FSA to which the Code applies, with compliance with the Code being required within 24 months from when the Code came into force (2nd of October 2023). Compliance is demonstrated by having accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, with the Code and this FSA or the sub-activities of this FSA that the organisation undertakes, on their schedule of accreditation.

During the intervening period in which organisations who provide cell site analysis services are working towards compliance, assurance of the quality of the results being produced is via comparison of results with other units performing the same FSA.

This can be achieved through a number of routes:

  • Participation in proficiency tests (PT)
  • Participation in interlaboratory comparison exercises (ILC)
  • Participation in collaborative learning exercises (CLE)