Forensic science activities: statutory code of practice - version 2

The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 requires the Regulator to prepare and publish a code of practice for forensic science activities in England and Wales.

The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 also requires the Regulator to keep the code under review and may from time to time prepare and publish alterations to the code or a replacement code.

This document is version 2 of the code of practice for forensic science.

The code sets quality standard requirements for forensic science activities related to the investigation of crime and the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

The code of practice comes into force on 2 October 2025.

A draft forensic science code of practice: version 2 was published for consultation in February 2024.

Code of practice version 1 can be found here.