Cell Site Forensics - Technical Expert

Cell Site Analysis Expert
Independent Contractor - Technical Expert

Location: Remote (UK‑based) with travel to sites as required
 

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 Cell Site Analysis, supported by a wider background in Digital Forensics or telecommunications. This role is specifically focused on Cell Site Analysis, and candidates must currently be working within a UK Police Force, where they are actively involved in operational cell site, telecoms or network‑based forensic work.

As a Technical Expert, you offer in-depth subject matter knowledge to support the accreditation process. You do not carry out assessments yourself or produce reports. Instead, you provide insights, context, and professional judgement to assist UKAS Assessors in determining whether an organisation’s technical work is sound, suitable, and consistent with real-world investigative practice.

Your current operational policing experience, practical understanding of Cell Site Analysis, and awareness of how this evidence is used within the Criminal Justice System 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 Cell Site Analysis insight and real‑world operational context to support UKAS Assessors.
This includes:

• Advising Lead Assessors and Technical Assessors on Cell Site Analysis methods, processes and competence requirements
• Reviewing technical aspects of validation, sampling, analysis and data integrity relating to mobile network data
• Helping evaluate new, complex or emerging technologies and tools used in Cell Site Analysis
• Bringing current operational insight from policing 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 strong working knowledge of Cell Site Analysis, supported by a broader understanding of digital forensics or telecoms where relevant, including:

• Case assessment and interpretation
• Mobile network‑derived evidence, particularly Call Data Records (CDRs)
• UK mobile network infrastructure and basic RF concepts
• Radio‑frequency propagation and cellular technologies
• RF surveying techniques
• GIS mapping software and mapping techniques
• Interpretation of mobile network and cell site 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)

Typical Backgrounds

We welcome interest from people with strong Cell Site Analysis and RF Surveying experience, particularly those currently working within:

• UK Police Forces with dedicated Cell Site Analysis and Surveying capability

If you’ve carried out, led, supervised or advised on Cell Site Analysis within a UK Police Force, we’d like to hear from you.

This role is ideal for someone who understands the realities of frontline cell-site and telecoms evidence work and wants to share that expertise in a flexible consultancy capacity.

Contract details

This is a subcontractor role designed to accommodate your existing professional commitments.
Engagement can be arranged either through your employing organisation (e.g., a UK Police Force) or directly with you as an individual, subject to agreement.
You may carry out assessment activities alongside your core role.
Day rates are competitive and paid per assessment, including preparation and participation time.

Conflict of Interest
All applicants will be required to complete a conflict-of-interest declaration as part of the selection process. This ensures impartiality and maintains the integrity of UKAS assessments.

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

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