FCN has exciting updates to share about the forensic science community's new national online quality management system (eQMS).

Momentum Systems has been chosen as the eQMS supplier, after a rigorous procurement process including robust evaluation of the technical and functional capability of several QMS software products.

Functionally, the Momentum eQMS is completely browser based, deployable in the cloud, accessible at point-of-use and adheres to the security requirements needed in a national system.

Technically, it is highly configurable and can be customised and extended, so will grow with the needs of FCN members. It also allows access to information based on permissions by force, location and role, which is vital for our national approach.

User groups taking place from April will enable participants to shape the system to meet their needs. The live Momentum eQMS will be available from autumn 2020 on FCN Xchange.

A national approach to quality management means everyone in the FCN community can access and share accurate and up-to-date information. It'll also result in less doubling-up of effort and reduce the administrative burden for members of running systems compliant with ISO/IEC 17020 and 17025.

FCN's Director of Quality, Deborah Pendry, said: "The Momentum eQMS can benefit everyone—including those with an existing eQMS—providing web-based access to shared learning across the forensic community alongside their local system.

"As FCN's system is rolled out, we look forward to talking with forces about how and when they move towards the national system and its suite of functionality.

"We're pleased to continue our popular user groups during the exciting phase of configuring the system to best suit the community's needs. At the next user group in April, a cloud-hosted test version will be available, and we invite you to help configure, test and get involved in shaping the solution." 

For the full update, please visit the Transforming Forensics Quality & Standards page on Knowledge Hub.