Identified priorities
  • Continued support of Level 4 Digital forensic Technician and Level 7 Advanced Digital Forensic Professional Apprenticeships.
  • Development of Level 4 Physical Forensic Practitioner Apprenticeship.
  • Working with stakeholders across the forensic community on current training provision. 
  • Update of Forensic Academic-Practitioner partnership toolkit. 
  • Understanding of the current landscape in relation to mentoring and tutoring of apprentices, placements students and new staff, including updating guidance documents. 
  • Continued facilitation of publication of up to date and fit for purpose national guidance/good practice advice, to support national decision making
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Regional Forensic Networks

The College of Policing and the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser are both developing partnership working across policing. Now, the publication of FCN's forensic academic-practitioner partnership toolkit has helped develop a series of regional forensic networks. 

The first forensic network, established in September 2022, was led by Jo Dawkins at the University of Leicester. The East Midlands Forensic Network (EMFN) is a collection of practitioners, academics, researchers and service providers from across the region (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland). The Network aims to collaborate on a wide range of areas including: knowledge exchange and communication; research; academic curriculum development; training and CPD; and student placements/experience.

"Together, we work in partnership to champion meaningful, sector leading research and knowledge development across various areas of forensic science and practice. The EMFN draws together experience, knowledge and expertise to identify areas in need of development within forensic science practice and research and proactively works to address this," according to the EMFN's website.

In 2025, the Southeast Forensic Network launched, with the goal of creating sustainable, responsive, and resilient systems that support research excellence, workforce readiness, and operational effectiveness. This will ensure the sector is equipped to meet current and future demands. It includes universities, police forces and forensic science providers across Kent, Essex, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. Its aims are to:

  • Strengthen research capability - build cross-institutional capacity for impactful, applied research in forensic science and related disciplines
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange - break down barriers between academia, policing, and forensic providers to share expertise, insights, and innovation
  • Transform operational collaboration - develop a cohesive, responsive network to identify and solve authentic challenges facing forensic science and policing
  • Future-proof the workforce - equip students, practitioners, and agencies with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to meet future demands
  • Enhance training, CPD, and academic development - innovate in curriculum design, professional training, and continuous professional development to meet evolving sector needs

There are two further network that are currently being developed: a Wales and the West Forensic Network, and a South West Forensic Network (Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Thames Valley). Work is underway to establish further networks, with a North West Network in early stages. 

Forensic practitioners and researchers from any relevant organisation, who are interested in working with their regional forensic networks or establishing a new network, should contact the following people.