Certification, registration and assessment of digital forensic experts: The UK experience

The article provides a history and review of the various attempts within the UK at assessing, certifying and registering expert witnesses including those who specialise in digital evidence. It analyses the various actors and stakeholders involved in the process and the different needs of law enforcement employers, prosecutors, defence lawyers and judges, There is also an examination of the economics of assessment: the more rigorous the testing the greater the cost – which is probably going to be borne by the applicant and may act as a deterrent to taking on forensic work. The main conclusion is that designers of assessment schemes need to be clear about their aims, and to consider carefully whether in some circumstances these can be achieved by better court procedural rules and vetting schemes based on lawyers acting as referees.

► Certification of digital forensic experts is not a “good” in itself. ► Law enforcement agencies, defence lawyers are the main audience. ► Designers of certification systems must balance rigour with economic realities. ► The article explains these in the context of UK experience.