Programme

One Day One Topic Seminar (OOS)

20 October 2026 • Full-day session

Theme: Competency and Quality Culture in Forensic Science

The OOS seminar will address the development, recognition, and continuous improvement of quality professionals, exploring how competence is defined, assessed, and embedded within forensic organisations.

The programme will explore:

  • The role and responsibilities of quality professionals within forensic organisations
  • The definition and assessment of competence (knowledge, skills, and responsibilities)
  • The development and implementation of competency frameworks
  • Tools and approaches to managing competence within quality management systems
  • The role of leadership and organisational culture in supporting quality
  • Practical approaches to fostering and measuring a strong quality culture

The seminar will include:

Expert Presentations Case Studies Interactive Workshops Panel Discussions

Participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and identify practical approaches applicable to their own organisations.

QCLG Meeting

21–22 October 2026 • One-and-a-half-day meeting

The QCLG meeting will build on the themes introduced during the OOS and focus on the practical implementation of quality management systems in forensic laboratories.

Key topics will include:

  • Risk management as a foundation of quality management systems
  • Application of risk-based thinking in daily practice
  • Validation and verification: expectations, challenges, and practical approaches
  • Management of non-conformances and root cause analysis
  • Risks to impartiality and how to manage them
  • Business continuity and resilience
  • Emerging topics such as the role of artificial intelligence in quality management

The programme will include:

Thematic Sessions Interactive Workshops Group Discussions Experience Sharing

The structure is designed to ensure a balance between strategic discussion and practical application, with a strong emphasis on participant engagement.

A detailed programme will be published soon. The OOS is open to anyone with an interest in forensic quality management.