CCL launches Cell Site Peer Review service to strengthen evidential resilience under new FSR Code

The service supports law enforcement in meeting formal peer review requirements under Version 2 of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice (2025), which mandates structured peer review for evidential forensic work, including cell site analysis conducted under DIG200 standards.

Delivering independent assurance

A Peer Review is an expert check of analysis and opinion carried out by a competent practitioner who was not involved in the original work. It examines whether findings have been reached and expressed in line with accepted forensic standards.

It does not re-run the analysis or replace the original expert. Instead, it provides objective scrutiny of:

• Expert reports and statements
• Exhibits, mapping and analytical outputs
• Technical opinion and evaluative reasoning
• Critical findings underpinning conclusions

By identifying risks, limitations or areas requiring clarification before evidence is relied upon, the service reduces downstream challenge in court.

Supporting compliance, strengthening defensibility

CCL’s Cell Site Team Leader Kevin Weeks comments:

“Compliance with the Regulator’s Code establishes that minimum standards have been met, but compliance on its own doesn’t actually guarantee correctness. We’ve designed the Peer Review to align with the intent of the Code and DIG200 standards, helping ensure opinions are balanced, transparent and logically reasoned. It’s not meant as an endorsement of conclusions, but as an independent scrutiny designed to strengthen the evidential product.”

Service on demand

Forces managing high case volumes and limited accredited personnel can access peer review resources on demand, without long-term commitment.

CCL’s service helps agencies:

• Maintain capacity during peak workload
• Meet regulatory expectations
• Obtain independent assurance ahead of court
• Improve evidential resilience in complex or sensitive cases

As CCL is one of the few commercial Cell Site teams accredited to DIG200, demand for Peer Review is expected to be high. For more information contact Grant Wade | grant.wade@cclsolutionsgroup.com