Job Description

Details

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Reference number

438810

Salary

49,870
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Other

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

12 months

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Remote working (anywhere in the UK)

About the job

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Job summary

From time to time, a criminal case ends with a wrongful conviction or sentence - there might not have been a crime at all, the wrong person might have been convicted, or the process might have failed so significantly that the conviction is unsafe.


We are recruiting an experienced individual to join our Forensic Opportunities Programme team. The Programme is reviewing previously submitted applications, where the applicant was convicted of rape or murder and the identity of the offender is in issue.


Your role will provide advice and guidance to the Programme team to ensure all forensic opportunities are fully explored, including helping to identify appropriate experts, interpreting reports, and assisting in the development of forensic investigative strategies.


Those within the Programme team work closely with other Casework team members to effectively manage these cases, with a focus on making objective, evidence-based and well-reasoned recommendations.


The Forensic Opportunities Programme is expected to last for at least 12 months and is an area of high priority for the CCRC.


In return, we offer you a unique and independent perspective on the criminal justice system and criminal cases.


Our ideal person will have a comprehensive background in either law enforcement as a crime scene manager or within the criminal justice system as a reporting forensic scientist. You will also have extensive experience of working within major and serious crime (including homicide and RASSO investigations) from a forensic perspective.


We need someone with a thorough knowledge of trace forensics, including DNA profiling, and who has experience supporting investigations through producing forensic strategies.


Our Casework team come from a range of backgrounds - law, policing, forensic science, journalism. They work from home, using the latest IT to stay connected and to learn from and support each other.


The CCRC is committed to equality and to being an inclusive organisation. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture, and we provide an environment where everyone is heard, valued and respected. We welcome people who will bring diversity of thought and provide constructive challenge.


We are also happy to receive applications from those looking to join the programme on a loan basis (i.e. on CCRC terms & conditions)

Job description

Role Purpose

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.


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 Advisor role is to support the FOP to identify and pursue appropriate investigative opportunities to obtain fresh forensic or expert 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 Advisor will provide subject-matter advice, but they will not provide expert opinion to the CCRC for evidential purposes.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks

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 new forensic or expert 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 and 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. Supporting the FOP in the assessment of expert and forensic evidence to ensure compliance with quality standards, criminal procedure rules, and the effectiveness and credibility of expert witnesses. With the CCRC Forensic Science and Expert Evidence Advisor, maintaining and developing relationships with forensic science providers, the office of the Forensic Science Regulator, other experts and expert bodies, and other CJS agencies. Ensuring that the FOP keeps up to date with developments and innovation in forensic science, expert evidence, relevant investigations and case law. Identifying thematic opportunities arising from developments in forensic science and expert evidence. Supporting the CCRC Forensic Science and Expert Evidence Advisor to maintain and develop the CCRC in-house guidance on forensic science and expert evidence. Supporting the CCRC Forensic Science and Expert Evidence Advisor to source and/or develop and deliver regular briefings and training on forensic and expert evidence to develop the skills within the casework team and providing ad hoc training/coaching/mentoring as needed. Assisting the wider CCRC casework, as required by the FOP Phase 2 leads.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

Lead:

Extensive experience of working within a law enforcement environment as a crime scene manager or within the criminal justice system as a reporting forensic scientist. Extensive experience of working within major and serious crime (including homicide and RASSO investigations) from a forensic perspective. Extensive experience of supporting investigations through the production of forensic strategies. Experience of identifying and engaging with forensic science providers and experts Experience of developing and delivering training or guidance to others. Extensive knowledge of trace forensics, including DNA profiling. 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. Personal Qualities: + An open mind, resilience, integrity and reliability
+ Demonstrates CCRC values
+ An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable criteria:

Familiarity with other areas of forensic or expert evidence.

Behaviours

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


Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Working Together

Benefits

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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

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Selection process timeline:

Applications should be submitted no later than

23:55

on the

15 December 2025.

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.


Shortlisting is expected to be completed by

22 December 2025

and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, we will ask you to undertake an assessment exercise as a part of your interview. Further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.



Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview during week commencing

12 January 2026

via Microsoft Teams.

Offer

Our aim is to inform successful candidates by week commencing

19 January 2026.

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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



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

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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

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Job contact :

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

Email : hr@ccrc.gov.uk

Further information

https://careers.ccrc.gov.uk/home