1. for Forensic Science Laboratories February 2015
Accreditation
for Forensic Science Laboratories
February 2015

2. Asking the Right Question
The temptation is to begin with the question ‘How do I get my lab accredited?’
The better question to ask is ‘Why should I get my lab accredited?’
Ensuring the proper focus helps lab management make better decisions
Asking the Right Question

3. The value of accreditation
The importance of demonstrating that all forensic services are provided in accordance with accepted standards has increased in recent years.  Accreditation provides that essential, external, independent review.  Accreditation increases the level of confidence for customers and all interested parties in the work and work product of the laboratory.
The value of accreditation

4. Accreditation: procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal recognition that a lab is competent to carry out specified tasks
Accreditation body: organization conducting and administering an accreditation system and granting accreditation
Certification: refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit – in the forensic community this is most frequently focused on the individual (e.g. ABC, IAI)
Vocabulary

5. Other Communities using accreditation
Universities
U.S. Department of Education has a listing of both Institutional Accreditation and Specialized Accreditation (e.g. Law, Nursing, Speech Therapy)
Hospitals
In order to receive reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid
Law enforcement
CALEA (one example)
Electrical products
Underwriters Laboratories (one example)
Other Communities using accreditation

6. Why accreditation? National and international recognition
For example: why did you encourage your kids to pursue a degree? And why did you consider one school over another?
For example: if you need a medical procedure, how do you evaluate the hospital or doctor?
Proactive management process (e.g. documenting policies and procedures, performing internal audits, annual management review, proficiency testing personnel)
Community creditability and public confidence
Developing an internal culture of quality and understanding
Why accreditation?

7. ISO = International Organization for Standardization (not an acronym) www.iso.org
From the Greek ISOS ( ΙΣΩΣ ) which means equal
Organization which publishes over 19,000 standards and guidelines
From manufacturing and healthcare to space vehicles and railways
Documents available for purchase in the USA from
In many countries accreditation is government based and mandatory
In the USA there are only seven states with legislated accreditation for forensic labs: TX, OK, NY, MO, NC, MD, MN (FYI - TX requires accreditation for both public and private forensic labs)
Why ISO?

8. Who monitors the accreditation bodies?
Voluntary regional ‘recognition’ process
APLAC (Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)
EA (European Accreditation Cooperation)
IAAC (Inter American Accreditation Cooperation)
SADCA (South African Development Community Accreditation)
Using ISO/IEC for evaluation
Who monitors the accreditation bodies?

9. And who sets the standards for these regional bodies?
ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)
Based in Australia
Publishes ILAC G19 [2014] for the forensic community [free PDF resource]
Developed a helpful brochure to better understand accreditation: content/uploads/2013/05/Why-become-an-acredited- lab.pdf
Posted a useful video:
And who sets the standards for these regional bodies?

10. ASCLD/LAB has been recognized by ILAC since 2009

11. Will accreditation prevent personnel problems and mischief?
Unfortunately no
But it makes it much more likely that someone or a monitoring action will proactively identify these departures BEFORE they become catastrophic
This entire process is focused on developing a ‘culture of quality’ for both management and technical personnel
Similar to ‘how does a community develop a positive relationship with law enforcement?’ It takes time and requires the development of trust and respect
Will accreditation prevent personnel problems and mischief?

12. How to begin . . . Obtain a copy of the accreditation requirements
For ASCLD/LAB this would be ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 and the appropriate set of Supplemental Requirements
Seek training to get a better picture of what the requirements mean and how the process works
Locate a mentor or partner organization so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel
Observing an internal audit in an accredited lab may provide a better picture of what needs to be done to prepare
Begin the application process
There are many steps on the path
How to begin . . .

13. Basic Structure of the program
ISO/IEC 17025
Section 4 - Management focus
15 subsections
Section 5 – Technical requirements
10 subsections
ASCLD/LAB – International Supplemental Requirements
Forensic specific requirements developed by the forensic science community
Established using requirements originally developed and continually improved since 1982
One program for forensic science testing and one for breath alcohol calibration
Basic Structure of the program

14. More information – Section 4
Complaints
Controlling nonconforming testing and/or calibration work
Improvement
Corrective action
Preventive action
Control of records
Internal audits
Management review
Organization
Management system
Document control
Review of requests, tenders and contracts
Subcontracting
Purchasing services and supplies
Service to the customer
More information – Section 4

15. More information – section 5
General technical requirements
Personnel
Accommodations and environmental conditions
Test methods
Equipment
Measurement traceability
Sampling
Handling of test items
Assuring the quality of test results
Test reports
More information – section 5

16. How to prepare Completing a conformance file
Performing an internal audit before making application
Completing a full management review before application
Compiling all required information for the application
Preparing staff and management
The assessment process is conducted by peers – not easily bluffed
Remember to breathe
How to prepare

17. The right perspective The process is about improvement
Not focused on ‘find the problem’
Focus is ‘confirm conformance’
Plan > Do > Check > Act
Deming’s wheel of continuous improvement
Also – this process is more than ‘once and done’
Monitoring activities are included in the accreditation process
Annual proficiency testing, annual audit, annual management review, performance declaration report, on-site surveillance visits
Reaccreditation every four years
The right perspective

18. You are not alone

19. Why choose ASCLD/LAB? Laser focus on forensic science community
Not distracted by competing priorities and multiple business models
Longest running forensic science accreditation program in the world
Centuries of experience provided by the permanent staff of ASCLD/LAB
Current staff:
Forensic scientists serve as our volunteer technical assessors
Why choose ASCLD/LAB?

20. Credentials of the ASCLD/LAB Decision making body
Board of Directors
Not bureaucratic paper pushers
Actual forensic laboratory directors, criminal justice representatives and scientific academicians
Volunteers for four years
Current Board:
Credentials of the ASCLD/LAB Decision making body

21. Helpful clarifications
When needed ASCLD/LAB provides clarifications and interpretations for the community
lab.org/ascldlab- international-testing- program-board- interpretations/
Helpful clarifications

22. Resources www.ascld-lab.org www.afqam.org www.ascld.org www.iso.org
Website information and training resources
Annual meeting for quality manager networking
Annual meeting for lab director networking
Resources and information
Resources and guidance documents
Resources

23. American Society of crime laboratory directors, laboratory accreditation board - ascld/lab
139J Technology Drive
Garner, NC 27529
Main