National Workshop Led by SYTECH Tackles Consistency and Wellbeing in Digital Forensics
Tuesday, 28th October, 2025
SYTECH, a leading Staffordshire-based multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in digital forensics, cybersecurity, consultancy and training, collaborated with the Centre for Crime, Justice and Security (CCJS) and University of Staffordshire to review digital forensic examination thresholds and their impact on UK policing and forensic services.
To support this work, SYTECH hosted an invitation-only workshop under the Chatham House Rule, bringing together 40 senior practitioners, policy-makers, and experts from policing, government, and forensic service providers. The workshop aimed to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and agree on practical steps to enhance consistency, efficiency, and wellbeing in digital forensic casework.
Four themed sessions guided the discussion: developing streamlined triage approaches for low-risk offenders and the use of CAID; understanding accessibility and recoverability differences across devices and tools; defining high volumes and achieving proportional assessment; and managing the legal and wellbeing implications of AI-generated imagery. Each session combined expert input with small-group workshops and structured debriefs to capture operational learning and policy insight in real time.
Key findings showed that sentencing thresholds are often treated as categorisation targets, leading to unnecessary exposure to distressing material and the over-processing of cases that could be proportionately assessed. Accessibility was also identified as inconsistent, with delegates agreeing that clearer guidance is needed to distinguish between what is accessible, recoverable with additional effort, and practically examinable within proportionate timeframes.
The workshop has already achieved tangible impact. One participating force has since revised and lowered its internal examination threshold, reducing examiner exposure and accelerating case progression.
SYTECH and CCJS will now collate the workshop findings into a white paper, inviting attendees to review the draft ahead of publication. Organisations interested in validation, inter-laboratory comparison, or wellbeing initiatives are encouraged to contact SYTECH for collaboration opportunities.
Adam Evans, Learning & Development Manager at SYTECH, commented: “This workshop is a perfect example of turning operational experience and the power of collaborating across the forensic and justice community to share knowledge into practical, achievable actions. Forensic thresholds should inform sensible decision-making, not drive unnecessary exposure. We’re proud to work alongside forces and forensic service providers to strengthen national practice and embed wellbeing safeguards for analysts.”
Originating in 1978, SYTECH operates from UK offices offering a broad range of multi-disciplinary expertise. SYTECH specialises in forensic investigation, including digital device analysis, telecommunications, data recovery, and incident response, along with leading cyber security solutions including Cyber-Infrastructure Consultancy, Cyber Essentials Plus Certification, Penetration Testing, and Vulnerability Assessments.
SYTECH delivers precise, results-driven solutions through its highly experienced team of professional experts and analysts, ensuring client success across diverse and complex challenges.
The firm upholds a comprehensive portfolio of internationally recognised quality certifications, including ISO 17025, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001, reflecting an unwavering commitment to excellence and operational integrity.
SYTECH provides comprehensive consultancy and training support to help organisations achieve and maintain these rigorous standards. Its expertise in ISO 17025 has expanded into industries such as water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, making SYTECH a trusted partner for operational compliance across sectors.
For more information and to explore the new website, visit: https://sytech-consultants.com/
