Proficiency Test Program Guidelines
Scientific Working Groups on Digital Evidence and Imaging Technology
Purpose
To provide a guide to implement a Digital and Multimedia Evidence (DME) proficiency test program.
Scope
The proficiency test program, which is one component of a Quality Assurance program, should verify that the technical procedures are valid and that the quality of each examiner’s work is being maintained.
Sub-disciplines
- Computer Forensics
- Forensic Audio
- Video Analysis
- Image Analysis
Test Preparation and Design
Proficiency tests may be internal or external, open or blind. Tests shall be subdiscipline specific, process based, and representative of items routinely examined. The test shall be prepared and anticipated results documented by an individual or organization identified by the tested agency as technically knowledgeable in the subdiscipline. A second individual identified by the tested agency as technically knowledgeable in the subdiscipline shall confirm the suitability for testing, the completeness of the test and anticipated results. The test should be representative of routine DME casework. It should be noted that Examiners and technical support personnel need only demonstrate proficiency in those processes, which are representative of their routine activities. Furthermore, examiners need not demonstrate competency in all of the processes listed in order to be considered qualified to perform individual examination processes.
The proficiency test may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the processes listed in Table 1.