This survey is designed to investigate industry opinions regarding laboratory accreditation, use of standards, and examiner certification related to digital evidence. It should not take more than a few minutes to complete. The insight gained will be invaluable as our industry wrestles with issues regarding quality assurance policy.

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* 1. For what type of agency or organization do you work?

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* 2. Approximately how many employees are in your organization?

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* 3. The National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS) defines Forensic Science Service Provider (FSSP) as ‘An individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory issues AND (2) issues test results, provides reports, or provides interpretations, conclusions, or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence.’   
Among the individuals employed by your organization, how many people meet this definition in any forensic discipline, e.g., DNA, forensic pathology? (If your answer is "None," please skip to Question 9.)

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* 4. Is your organization accredited by a forensic accreditation provider? (If your answer is "No," please skip to Question 8.)

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* 5. What accreditation vendor does your organization use? (Select all that apply.)

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* 6. To what standard(s) is your organization accredited to? (Example: ISO 17025, 17020, etc.) (Select all that apply.)

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* 7. In your organization, which forensic disciplines are accredited?

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* 8. Among the individuals employed by your organization, how many people meet the FSSP definition in the digital evidence discipline, or its sub-disciplines, e.g. computer, cell phone, video, imaging? (If your answer is "None," please skip to Question 15.)

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* 9. Do you see benefits to being accredited in digital evidence? If so, what are they?

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* 10. Do you see disadvantages to being accredited in digital evidence? If so, what are they?

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* 11. Is accreditation something you are asked about in the course of any professional conversation? If so, from whom and approximately how often? (Example: Once a year by an attorney, 3 times a month by potential customers, in testimony, etc.)

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* 12. The NCFS is recommending universal accreditation of all FSSPs. Please choose the answer that most closely represents your thoughts regarding this.

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* 13. If accreditation of digital evidence becomes universally mandated, do you believe your organization will pursue accreditation?

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* 14. Regardless of whether you support the concept or not, are there issues you feel will challenge digital evidence regarding accreditation? (Select all that apply.)

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* 15. Aside from accreditation, do you or your organization use any published digital evidence specific standards? (Example: ASTM E2763-10 Standard Practice for Computer Forensics.)

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* 16. If NO to question 15, is there a reason why you or your organization does not use digital evidence standards?

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* 17. If YES to question 15, from what standard development organization (SDO) do you purchase standards?

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* 18. If YES to question 15, which standards do you or your organization use?

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* 19. Are there any individuals in your organization or unit that work in digital evidence who maintain a discipline-specific certification, e.g. CFCE? (If your answer is "No," please skip to Question 23.)

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* 20. Approximately how many of the employees that meet the NCFS definition of FSSP from Question 2 are certified?

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* 21. What certification bodies or vendors cover these individuals?

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* 22. What specific types of certifications are possessed by these individuals?

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* 23. Do you see benefits to being certified? If so, what are they?

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* 24. Do you see disadvantages to being certified? If so, what are they?

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* 25. Is certification something you are asked about in the course of any professional conversation? If so, from whom and approximately how often? (Example: Once a year by an attorney, 3 times a month by potential customers, in testimony, etc.)

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* 26. The NCFS may recommend mandatory certification of all FSSPs. Please choose the answer that most closely represents your thoughts regarding this.

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