Job Description

Digital Forensics (Cell Site Analysis)

Independent Contractor - Technical Expert

Location Remote (UK‑based) with travel to sites as required
Contract Type Independent Contractor

About the Role

UKAS is the United Kingdom’s National Accreditation Body. We work with a wide range of organisations delivering technical assessments in line with national and international standards. We’re expanding our pool of Technical Experts with specialist experience in Digital Forensics – Cell Site Analysis, particularly those who have gained substantial operational experience within a UK Police Force.

As a Technical Expert, you bring deep subject‑matter expertise to support the accreditation process. You do not carry out assessments yourself and you do not write reports. Instead, you provide insight, context and professional judgement to help UKAS Assessors understand whether an organisation’s technical work is robust, appropriate and aligned with real‑world investigative practice. Your technical knowledge, police‑force experience and practical understanding of Cell Site Analysis are central to ensuring assessments are informed, fair and evidence‑based.

Over time, and where appropriate, Technical Experts may be offered training to become Technical Assessors. UKAS will provide full assessor training if your skills and availability align with operational needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

Your role as a Technical Expert focuses on providing specialist insight and real‑world operational context to support UKAS Assessors.

This includes:

• Advising Lead Assessors and Technical Assessors on technical methods, processes and competence requirements
• Reviewing technical aspects of validation, sampling, analysis and data integrity
• Helping evaluate new, complex or emerging technologies and tools in Cell Site Analysis
• Bringing operational insight from policing or forensic casework into the assessment process
• Providing clear, unbiased technical views during discussions about quality, consistency and risk
• Answering technical questions during on‑site or remote assessment activities

Knowledge & Skills Needed

We are looking for solid working knowledge of:

• Case assessment and interpretation
• Evidence types, sampling, handling and storage (e.g., call data, SMS records, activity logs)
• UK mobile network infrastructure and basic RF concepts
• Radio-frequency propagation and cellular technologies
• RF-surveying
• GIS mapping software and techniques
• Interpretation of mobile network data
• Chain of custody and evidential continuity
• Method validation
• Use of Cell Site Analysis tools
• Proficiency Testing schemes
• Quality assurance and checking procedures
• Requirements of the Criminal Justice System (CJS)

Experience Required

• Proven experience in Cell Site Analysis or related telecoms work
• Experience in a UK Police Force is essential — this role relies heavily on operational policing insight
• Experience may come from investigations, forensic units, specialist telecoms teams, or similar environments

Typical Backgrounds

We welcome interest from people with strong Digital Forensics or telecoms‑related experience, especially from:

• Police Digital Forensics Units
• Former police operational staff with experience in mobile network analysis and cell site interpretation
• Forensic Service Providers working with mobile phone or network data
• Telecommunications Engineers familiar with network infrastructure and signal behaviour
• Professionals with experience in casework assessment, expert witness work, or evidence review

If you’ve carried out, led, supervised, or advised on Cell Site Analysis in a policing or forensic setting, we’d like to hear from you.

This role is ideal for someone who knows the realities of front‑line digital forensics or telecoms evidence work and wants to share that knowledge in a flexible consultancy capacity.

Learn More about the Role and Application Details:
UKAS Contracted Assessor

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