Ensuring the validity of the crime laboratory’s test result is paramount. Ensuring that the lab is impartial, competent, and committed to confidentiality is an integral part of that assurance.

PLAN - DO - CHECK - ACT

Laboratory Accreditation demonstrates conformance with international standards, giving the customer of a crime laboratory confidence in the test results.

In this episode we explore the ISO/IEC standards specific to forensic testing and calibration laboratories. These standards apply to labs performing a wide-range of forensic tests: biology/DNA, bloodstain pattern analysis, drug chemistry/ controlled substances, toxicology, firearms, blood alcohol, friction ridge, fire debris and explosives, digital evidence, and many more.

This episode sets foundational knowledge for future episodes that will explore the issues, challenges, and scandals facing many laboratories and how having a robust quality assurance program is essential for driving improvements.

Comments? Feedback? Suggestions? Or if you would like to be a guest?
Email: [email protected]

To learn more about the host, Angela Swarts, visit:
practicalforensics.science

Helpful Links:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/challenging-forensic-science

International Organization for Standardization

ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)

United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

 The National Registry of Exonerations

The Marshall Project

The Innocence Project

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