Forensic Science Subcommittee

FSSC Meeting Dates

Monday 06 November 2023 (Virtual)

June 2024 (Date TBC)

FSSC Members

The current Chair of the Forensic Science Subcommittee is Prof Margaret Stark.

Should you like to contact the chair please send an email to forensic.medicine@fflm.ac.uk.

Committee members

Bernadette Butler, Forensic Physician, President, FFLM

Susan Carney-Gannon, Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Nat Cary, British Association of Forensic Medicine (Forensic Pathologist)

Raymond Chapman, Metropolitan Police Service (Consultant Forensic Biologist)

Laura Dean, Forensic Physician

Edward Doyle, Scottish Government (Senior Medical Advisor)

Andrea Edwards, Independent National Forensic Advisor (Forensic Biologist)

Sue Fewkes, UKAFNP Vice-President (Forensic Nurse)

June Guiness OBE, Office of the Forensic Science Regulator, Home Office

Amy Hamm, Forensic Physician

Charlotte Hargreaves, Eurofins (Senior Reporter) and Body Fluid Forum

Kranti Hiremath, Forensic Physician

Rachel Knottley, Key Forensic Services (Biology Reporting Manager)

Hassan Kurimbokus, Analytical Services International (Forensic Toxicology Reporting Manager)

Carolyn Lovell, NPCC Forensic Capability Network (Research and Development Manager)

Rachel Morgan, Cellmark (Forensic Reporting Scientist)

Kleo Papachristou, NPCC Representative (MPS Inspector)

Fiona Perry, Eurofins (Senior Forensic Toxicologist)

Keeley Roe, Forensic Nurse

Carol Rogers, Scottish Police Authority (Interim Operations Manager – Biology)

Margaret Stark, Forensic Physician (Chair)

Nigean Stevenson, Scottish Police Authority (Interim Lead Forensic Scientist (Sexual Offences)) and Body Fluid Forum

Hiang Boon Tan, Forensic Physician

Jo Taylor, College of Policing

Cath White OBE, Forensic Physician and Sexual Offence Lead, FFLM

Stuart Wiseman, Scenesafe (Sales Director)

Aims & Objectives

Aims

To ensure that patients being seen in a forensic medical setting (complainants, complainers, and suspects, of all ages, and by the circumstances of the encounter, likely to be vulnerable) receive appropriate care, including the taking of all relevant forensic samples, using the current best evidence available in the field of forensic and legal medicine.

Objectives

Maintain guidelines on forensic sampling which will be updated as there are developments in the field of forensic science in order to maximise the recovery of potential forensic evidence whilst minimising the distress to the examinee.
Establish channels of communication between the FFLM, the Police and the forensic services and kit providers.
Communicate good practice to forensic practitioners responsible for obtaining the samples and the teachers of those practitioners.
Highlight and encourage areas where research or supporting data is required. Disseminate relevant information as necessary.

FSSC Newsletters

The FSSC review and revise the Recommendations for the collection of forensic specimens (next update due out January 2023).

The Committee also considers questions sent in by members of the FFLM and other interested parties. These are published in the FSSC’s newsletters.

You can view the questions and answers here.

National Forensic Kits

National Forensic Kits are now available from SceneSafe based on the FFLM Recommendations for the Collection of Forensic Specimens from Complainants and Suspects. The kits and their contents are listed below.

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

4 per kit Medical Wire MW102 swab Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Sterile water 10ml plastic ampoules Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Sterile water 5ml plastic ampoules Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Sterile container 60ml Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit Polythene LDPE disposable glove LARGE
4 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
FFLM guidelines for use

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

12 per kit Medical Wire MW102 Forensic DNA Grade
12 per kit Sample site label
1 per kit Sterile water 5ml plastic ampoules Forensic DNA Grade
7 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
1 per kit Aquagel Lubricant Forensic DNA Grade
FFLM guidelines for use

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

8 per kit Medical Wire MW102 swab Forensic DNA Grade
8 per kit Sample site label
1 per kit Sterile water 5ml plastic ampoules Forensic DNA Grade
5 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
1 per kit Aquagel Lubricant Forensic DNA Grade
FFLM guidelines for use

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

1 per kit Pocket comb: coarse/fine teeth 5″ black Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Forcep plastic blue Griprite sterile Forensic DNA Grade
3 per kit Sterile paper 50cm x 50cm Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Sterile dressing scissors blue Forensic DNA Grade
3 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
FFLM guidelines for use

Quality Assurance: Components must be specified drug free

Kit Contents:

1 per kit Cotton thread 305mm
2 per kit adhesive label “Store at Room Temperature” “Root This End”
1 per kit Foil strips 125mm X 100mm
1 per kit Sterile dressing scissors blue
1 per kit Envelope printed Instructions
2 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm

Work is ongoing to confirm drug-free status and certification

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

4 per kit 3″ Forensic woodstick mini-swab (6” swab at present due to COVID manufacturing restrictions) Forensic DNA Grade
4 per kit Sample site labels
1 per kit Sterile water 5ml plastic ampoules Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit Sterile paper 50cm x 50cm Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
FFLM guidelines for use

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “Forensic DNA grade” Components must also be specified drug free

Kit Contents:

2 per kit Trim nail clippers (2 Pack) Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit Sterile paper 50cm x 50cm Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
2 per kit labels “Toxicology sample store at room temperature”
2 per kit labels “DNA Samples Refrigerate”
FFLM guidelines for use

Work is ongoing to confirm drug-free status and certification

Quality Assurance: All components should be specified as being drug and alcohol-free

Kit Contents:

1 per kit Exetainer needle holder
1 per kit Safety needle 21G x 1.25″ green
2 per kit Fluoride oxalate evacuated 5ml bottle
1 per kit alcohol-free wipe
2 per kit Cotton wool balls
1 per kit Spotplaster
2 per kit 42ml Securitainer
2 per kit Foam insert
2 per kit Freeze label
1 per kit Tourniquet
2 per kit DNA swab bag 130mm x 225mm
FFLM guidelines for use

Work is ongoing to confirm drug and alcohol-free status and certification

Quality Assurance: All components should be specified as being drug and alcohol-free

Kit Contents:

2 per kit Urine collection pot
2 per kit 28ml glass bottle
2 per kit Sodium fluoride tablets
2 per kit 180ml Securitainer
4 per kit Foam insert
2 per kit Toilet tissue x 8, white Forensic DNA Grade
2 per kit Freeze labels
4 per kit DNA swab bag
2 per kit Polythene LDPE disposable glove
FFLM guidelines for use

Work is ongoing to confirm drug and alcohol-free status and certification

Quality Assurance: Contains ISO 18385:2016 components: “Forensic DNA grade”

Kit Contents:

2 per kit Alcohol / Drug Urine Collection Kit Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Mouth Collection Kit Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Standard Swab Kit (x6) Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Fingernail Swabbing Kit Forensic DNA Grade
1 per kit Consent form
1 per kit OUTER BOX

Each item can be sold separately and contains the same equipment that is listed above all items marked with Forensic DNA Grade please see specs to confirm what item has been ETO treated.

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