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European forensic science network From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) was founded in 1995 in order to facilitate dialogue among the forensic science practitioners of Europe, as well as improving the quality of forensic science delivery. It has close cooperation with European police forces. In addition to quality, research, and education, different forensic disciplines address domain-relevant issues within expert working groups (EWGs) to the highest degree such that ENFSI is recognized as the monopoly organization for forensics science by the European Commission. ENFSI functions as a non-profit organization.[1]
European Network of Forensic Science Institutes | |
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| Abbreviation | ENFSI |
|---|---|
| Formation | October 20, 1995 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Purpose | Improving mutual exchange of information, and the quality of service delivery, in the field of Forensic Science |
| Location |
|
Region served | Europe, International |
Chairperson | Dorijan Kerzan |
| Website | https://enfsi.eu |
The number of member laboratories has increased since ENFSI's inception from 11 member laboratories in 1993 to 71 in 2019. As of May 2020[update], membership comes from 39 countries spread across Europe.[2] Non-European laboratories are also permitted to be involved in ENFSI as 'Associate' member laboratories under a specific Expert Working Group.[3]
Representatives from 11 governmental forensic laboratories in Western Europe attended a preliminary meeting in 1993 in Rijswijk, Netherlands.[4] The official founding meeting occurred on October 20, 1995 in Rijswijk and was open to all European countries. A memorandum of understanding was signed which governed its operation. The first constitution for ENFSI was accepted by the membership in 1999, and the ENFSI website was created. A new constitution was approved in 2004 when personal membership was discontinued in favour of an institutional membership, and membership fees were enacted. The European Commission recognised ENFSI in 2009 and in 2015 at the decision was made to move the secretariat from Poland to Germany.[5]
ENFSI is governed by an executive branch consisting of a five-member Board and a Secretariat. There are also two standing committees or advisory groups; one for Quality & Competency, and another for Research & Development. Individual forensic disciplines are represented by various Expert Working Groups.[6]
The ENFSI Board governs the activities of the organization and consists of five members elected from, and accountable to, the general membership. The Board consists of a chairperson, a treasurer, and various members.[7] The ENFSI Secretariat is accountable to and operates under the supervision of the Board to provide support for ENFSI activities. It is hosted by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in Wiesbaden, Germany, with two persons serving in that capacity.[8]
ENFSI has two Standing Committees. These are the Quality & Competence Committee (QCC), and the Research & Development Committee (R&D).[9]
The QCC is responsible for policy development relating to Quality Assurance and Competence Assurance, the provision of advise to Expert Working Groups as well as ENFSI members, and assisting member laboratories.
The RDSC is responsible for ENFSI's Research and Development Strategy, the provision of advice to Expert Working Groups and ENFSI members, facilitation of joint research between laboratories, and facilitation of education and training courses in specialised areas.
General membership in ENFSI is open to European forensic science institutes and agencies that meet specific criteria. Membership is not based on the individual practitioner but rather by institution or agency. There are, however, a limited number of honorary memberships that have been granted to individuals deemed noteworthy.[10]
Membership with ENFSI (in a non-voting capacity) is also available to non-ENFSI institutions, in Europe or elsewhere, through Associate Membership with a given Expert Working Group, so long as the institution meets specific criteria. Permanent and Associate member agencies pay annual dues to ENFSI.
ENFSI has seventeen Expert Working Groups (EWGs) actively collaborating on furthering their respective disciplines:
ENFSI collaborates with many institutions and agencies (both national and international in scope), including the following:
Another key activity involves competency assessment and quality assurance.[16] Each of the working groups develops and implements annual tests, usually called collaborative exercises or proficiency tests.[17][18][19][20]
ENFSI also “urges all its members to seek accreditation.”[21][22] The organization's official policy states “All ENFSI member laboratories should have achieved or should be taking steps towards ISO/IEC 17025 compliant accreditation for their laboratory testing activities.”[23] In 2007 around 40% of the laboratories affiliated with the ENFSI were accredited[24] and the figure was nearly 70% in 2011.[21]
Many of the above activities are integral to the Council of the European Union's attempts to standardize the practise of forensic science throughout Europe. This falls under the European Forensic Science Area program (aka, EFSA 2020).[25]
It works with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL).
It organises events and conferences, and promotes collaboration between research across Europe and internationally.
The European Document Experts Working Group (EDEWG) is actively investigating the use of artificial intelligence in document examination problems.[26]
One of the activities that the working groups perform is to devise best practice manuals (BMPs) to carry out detailed analyses by each discipline.[27]
ENFSI has published various guidelines intended for laboratories and practitioners.,[31] including the following:
Every three years, the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS) Conference is held under the patronage of ENFSI.[34] The 2022 conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden on May 30 – June 3, 2022.
In 2018, the Distinguished Forensic Scientist Award was given to the first female recipient, Niamh Nic Daéid.[35]
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