Forensic Science Advisor – Forensic Opportunities Programme

Criminal Cases Review Commission

United Kingdom

Remote

Expires: Expiring in less than 4 weeks

Legal

Flexible

£49,870 per year

Job summary

The Forensic Opportunities Programme (FOP) will review closed CCRC applications where the applicant was convicted of rape or murder before 1 January 2016 and the identity of the offender is in issue. The objective of the FOP is to identify those cases where there are forensic opportunities and to pursue relevant lines of investigation.

Our ideal person will have a comprehensive background working with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, supporting investigations and attending scenes as a qualified reporting forensic (biologist) scientist. You will also have extensive experience of working within major and serious crime (including homicide and RASSO investigations) from a forensic perspective.

The programme will also identify lessons and opportunities for improvement in the CCRC’s regular casework.

Cases are reviewed, investigated and assessed with Phase 2.

The purpose of the Forensic Science Advisor role is to support the FOP to identify and pursue appropriate investigative opportunities to obtain relevant, new forensic evidence and thereby contribute to:

fulfilling the CCRC’s purpose of finding, investigating and referring suspected miscarriages of justice; and
achieving the CCRC’s strategic aims.

The FOP Forensic Science Advisor will provide subject-matter advice, but they will not provide expert opinion to the CCRC for evidential purposes.

Job description

Under the supervision of the Senior Investigations Advisor the Forensic Science Advisor is responsible for:

Supporting CCRC investigations by assisting the FOP in the interpretation of forensic and expert evidence reports, seeking external expertise as necessary.
Working with the FOP and others to identify and follow-up opportunities to obtain relevant, new forensic evidence to support CCRC investigations.
Assisting the FOP to develop forensic investigative strategies, source appropriate experts and draft instructions.
Ensuring the effective procurement of forensic science, expert capabilities and services and, where necessary, supporting the FOP to ensure that commissioned work is completed to the highest standards and in line with relevant quality standards including the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and ISO accreditation.
Maintain an overview of all FOP instructions and submissions to Forensic Service Providers ensuring prioritisation of exhibits/cases where necessary and value for money is achieved.
Ensuring that the FOP keeps up to date with developments and innovation in forensic science, relevant investigations and case law
Support the CCRC Forensic Science and Expert Evidence Advisor to source and/or develop and deliver regular briefings and training on forensic evidence to develop the skills within the casework team and providing ad hoc training/coaching/ mentoring as needed.
Support the CCRC Forensic Science and Expert Evidence Advisor to maintain and develop the CCRC in-house guidance on forensic science.

Person specification

Essential

Lead: Significant experience as a qualified Forensic Biologist within the criminal justice system.
Extensive experience of working within major and serious crime (including homicide and RASSO investigations) from a forensic perspective.
Extensive experience of working closely with investigation teams, providing dynamic, fit for purpose forensic strategies
Experience of identifying and engaging with forensic service providers and experts, across all forensic disciplines.
Experience of developing and delivering training or guidance to others.
Extensive knowledge of body fluid identification, and the range of DNA profiling techniques available.
Must have knowledge of the use of forensic evidence in trial and/or appeal proceedings.
Comprehensive knowledge of the issues around retrieval, continuity, storage and retention of exhibits for examination.
Sound working knowledge of quality management systems and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and the impact of non-compliance.
Strong analytical and reasoning skills - the ability to understand and evaluate how forensic or expert evidence might impact the other evidence in a case.
Decision making skills – the ability to exercise sound judgement and a willingness to make evidence-based decisions within ambit of authority.
The ability to build strong working relationships and operate in a remote working environment
Enthusiasm for new technology and the ability to interrogate and use different software applications.
Organisational skills and problem-solving approach; the ability to deliver at pace, whilst maintaining an eye for detail.

Desirable

Familiarity with other areas of forensic or expert evidence.

Qualifications

Must be a qualified Forensic Biologist

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,870, Criminal Cases Review Commission contributes £14,447 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including flexible working options. You can also look forward to:

A Civil Service pension - this will see us making a significant contribution to your pension fund
29 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), in addition to eight statutory bank holidays and special leave allowance for your birthday
Generous paid maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (SPL) which is in excess of the statutory minimum
We have flexible working patterns, including access to a flexible working scheme
We also operate a flexi time system which means you can build up to two additional days off per month
Remote working (anywhere in the UK) - we will supply a laptop and any equipment you don't already have so you can work from home comfortably and safely
Reimbursement for any travel, subsistence, and expenses
3 paid volunteering days per year
Access to retail discounts and a cashback site
Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme
Free eye tests and a contribution towards lenses or spectacles for VDU users

To find out more and apply, please visit our website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Selection process timeline:

Applications should be submitted via our careers site by no later than 23:55 on 13 March 2026.

When you complete your online application, you will be asked to provide:

Step One: Application form

Details of your employment history, qualifications, any professional memberships, availability and our equal opportunities monitoring questions. You will also be asked some questions about our essential requirements for the role.

After submitting your application form, if you meet the essential requirements for the role, you will then be asked for the following:

Step Two: Criteria questions

You will receive an email with a link to provide us with evidence of how you meet the criteria listed within the Person Specification. It is essential that you give evidence, using examples, of proven experience/ competencies when addressing these criteria. You will need to submit your responses to the criteria questions before the closing date of the vacancy.

Please note that if you have not met the essential requirements for the role within your application form, you will not be asked the criteria questions. Applications must be submitted via our recruitment portal. CVs will not be accepted.

Shortlisting

The panel will perform an initial sift against the lead essential criteria in the first instance. Please note, candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be reviewed further. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift, where examples of all essential criteria (and desirable criteria where there are a high number of applications) will be reviewed. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Shortlisting is expected to be completed by 16 March 2026 and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview weeks commencing 23 March and 30 March 2026 via Microsoft Teams.

This will be a blended interview based on Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. We do not advertise the Strengths being tested as we want to hear your first, unrehearsed, natural response.

Offer

Our aim is to inform successful candidates by week commencing 5 April 2026.

One of our HR colleagues will be available to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.

Please note, the above dates are subject to change. It may not be possible to accommodate alternative requests for assessment and interviews. Please refer to candidate pack for the indicative timeline.

As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the HR team in the first instance.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : CCRC HR Team
Email : hr@ccrc.gov.uk

Salary range

£49,870 per year