Uncontrolled Document

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Members of the Forensic Isotope Ration Mass Spectrometry (FIRMS) Network will:

1. 1. promote the forensic application of isotope analysis,
   2. act in accordance with the FIRMS Network mission statement,
   3. pay all necessary membership fees within the required period,
   4. maintain the reputation and further the interests of the FIRMS Network,
   5. conduct themselves ethically in the practice of their profession,
   6. treat colleagues with due respect,
   7. have regard for the public interest at all times
   8. alert the Steering Group to any incident (that has come to the member’s attention), in which isotope analysis (including interpretation of data) were applied in a forensic context in a way that was not fit-for- purpose,
   9. inform the Steering Group of any matters that might adversely affect the reputation of the FIRMS Network,
   10. report to the Steering Group any suspected breach of the Code of Conduct,
   11. respect any rulings by the Steering Group concerning breaches of the Code of Conduct.

Provision of Services

In providing services members must, above all else, give primacy to the public interest and the requirements of justice.

Members providing services are required to ensure that they are competent to provide the service, the service is founded on sound science, they employ valid protocols and have in place a quality system.

All of this should documented and available for inspection, for example by the Steering Group.

The FIRMS Mission Statement

To promote the forensic application of isotope ratio mass spectrometry and allied or ancillary disciplines.

Mode of operation to achieve the mission

1. 1. • Bringing together all those involved in the forensic process with other scientists who employ IRMS in their own fields and facilitating exchange of information between all parties.
      • Raising awareness among investigators, lawyers and policy makers of the potential of IRMS in forensic science, crime detection and reduction.

Key objectives

• • • To develop the Network as a means of information exchange between members
    • To define and encourage best practice and promote regulation
    • To identify needs for development of IRMS as a fit-for-purpose forensic tool and facilitate such developments
    • To inform decision makers