IFSA members and our international networks have worked hard to develop a global Position Statement for forensic science research and innovation. The aim of the Position Statement is to provide leadership and promote research and innovation in areas with operational relevance that are critical to scientific service provision for the justice systems.

The research and innovation areas are divided into specific research and innovation focus areas that span a set of broad challenges of local, national and international significance with sub-topics which are defined as fundamental (need to be undertaken in the short, medium or long term) and applied (need to be applied into investigative and evidential processes for operational implementation spanning the criminal, civil and family justice systems).

It is hoped the Position Statement will be used to promote funding and resources to research at National, International and Global levels.

The impact of the Position Statement can already be seen. In Europe, approximately 35 million euros has been leveraged via Horizon Europe into the forensic science research space, based solely on the IFSA document and the importance placed on it. Calls for research suggestions are now out for 24-month projects see: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/horizon

CLICK HERE to view the 2021 IFSA Research and Innovation Position Statement