FCN SARC Network News — Issue 18: Key updates for forensic healthcare
Webinar invite, validation tools, and national positions that matter for SARCs and custody HCPs
The latest Forensic Capability Network (FCN) SARC Network News – Issue #18 (18 November 2025) is out now, with several practical updates for teams working in Sexual Assault Referral Centres and related forensic settings. (Link to full newsletter will be added.)
Webinar: Understanding ISO 18385 – Forensic DNA-grade consumables
When: Wednesday 3 December, 10:00–12:00 (MS Teams, registration via Eventbrite)
This two-hour session covers what constitutes DNA-grade consumables, how they’re manufactured, EtO treatment vs batch testing, and what to look for in records, QA certificates and product labelling. Attendees receive a slide pack to use as a local training toolkit.
Using national validations — FCN asks for your feedback
Working with SARCs across England and Wales, FCN has delivered national validations for SARC consumables (FCN-SAR-VAL-0006) and forensic cleaning (FCN-SAR-VAL-0012), plus guidance to help sites verify that validated processes are fit for purpose in their own facilities (e.g., FCN-SAR-VER-0002 Cleaning Verification and FCN-SAR-GUI-0036 End-to-End Verification – National Roll-Out). FCN invites suggestions on how to improve validation/verification approaches.
Current national stance on ‘self-swab rape kits’
The FFLM has written to universities in England and Wales regarding the promotion/distribution of self-swab kits to students and has shared its stance publicly; the AFSP Body Fluid Forum has also issued a position statement. Contact FFLM for further information.
SARC FSR Code compliance survey — 98% response rate
FCN reports a 98% response rate to the September survey. Future editions will share anonymised trends from UKAS assessments to help reduce findings; the OFSR supports the approach. The next update survey goes out in December; non-responders will be monitored by the Regulator. Sites are encouraged to share reports, raise concerns about disproportionate findings, and nominate the correct contact for future returns.
Why this matters
- Strengthens local contamination control and evidence integrity (consumables & cleaning).
- Clarifies national expectations and shared positions impacting frontline practice.
- Supports FSR Code readiness through shared learning and reduced duplication.
We’ll add the direct link to Issue #18 of the FCN SARC Network News here so you can register for the webinar, access templates, and read the stance statements in full.
