Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits presented by James E. Klaunig TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT WITNESSES

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Lab Accreditation, Protocol & Audits Custody of Sample – Transport National Academy of Science Report Accreditation Protocol Development Testing Instruments – Validation, calibration, and maintenance Standards for Comparison Audits Retests 2

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Custody of Sample Physical preservation Chain of custody – Document all individuals that handled the specimen – Demonstrate lack of tampering – Document that the specimen belongs to the identified subject Failure to maintain chain of custody can result in exclusion of the evidence 3

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Transport To lab Officer delivery Mail or delivery service – Court decision that mail delivery is ok Within lab Why business records apply to lab record documentation? Arrival at lab Science

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Laboratory Chain of custody Preservation of sample SOPs Instrumentation – Depends on the drug/poison being examined ̶GC Head space ̶GC MS ̶LC MSMS ̶ELISA Instrument validation, calibration, and maintenance – Positive controls/standards – Duplicate/triplicate samples – Save sample for future testing Accreditation – is just a way to solidify that the lab is following certain procedures

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits National Academy of Science Report Too many … in the forensic science community are strapped in their work, for lack of: – adequate resources, – sound policies, – and national support. The forensic science community is also plagued by fragmentation and inconsistent practices in federal, state, and local law enforcement jurisdictions and agencies. The quality of practice in forensic science disciplines varies greatly.

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits presented by James E. Klaunig TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT WITNESSES