1. Accreditation and Proficiency Testing

2. APT Subcommittee MembershipMeeting Activities 21 members, 15 non- Commissioners Representation: Accreditation bodies State and Local laboratories Private attorneys Federal laboratories Clinical laboratories Since the last Commission Meeting In-Person Meeting in September Teleconference in October Confluence Document Site

3. APT Priorities Current Views Document - Critical Steps to Accreditation Views Document - Proficiency Testing Policy Recommendation – Universal Accreditation Future Accreditation Standards Enforcement and Oversight Options

4. Critical steps to accreditation Pete Marone – Sub-Group Chair

5. Views Document - Introduction As forensic science service providers prepare for accreditation, implementation of the following elements will improve the quality and reliability of forensic work. These elements do not have to be adopted in any particular order and are first steps that when incorporated individually will make significant strides in increasing quality. Although each of these elements are part of all forensic science accreditation programs in the US, forensic science service providers should research the accreditation programs in order to work towards the appropriate end. It may be necessary to identify an individual responsible for quality activities in order to make significant progress.

6. Elements Written procedures for Evidence (security/control/handling) Required Written reports Technical Review of reports and supporting records Testimony monitoring Note-taking Testimony Monitoring Training Program Proficiency Testing

7. Summary These are eight essential elements on the path to accreditation and will improve the overall quality and would increase confidence in the reliability and accuracy of the data produced, conclusions rendered and the services provided. A Quality Manual, however named, is the overarching document that governs the policies and procedures of a forensic science service provider. The written procedures developed for the elements above when taken together can form the basis for a forensic science service provider's Quality Manual. Other accreditation elements, such as internal audits and document control, can be found in appropriate international standards and accreditation materials.

8. Proficiency Testing Karin Athanas – Sub-Group Chair

9. Views Document The 2009 National Academies report identified proficiency testing as essential feedback mechanisms for forensic sciences service providers Proficiency Testing is an evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria by means of interlaboratory comparisons for the determination of performance.

10. Types of Proficiency Test Open or Declared In which participants know they are being tested Blind In which participants do not know they are being tested Re-examination testing In which a practitioner’s completed prior casework is randomly selected for reanalysis Alternate approach Evaluation through observation, case presentation, and/or peer review

11. Current Status Initial surveys of the community have identified: 2 accreditation programs to ISO/IEC 17043 1 recognition program 19 proficiency test providers 12 recognized 7 accredited

12. Proficiency Testing Challenges The sample created as part of the proficiency test may not yield the expected result The test can become predictable when the same test format is used in each case The test may not be consistent with the methodology currently in practice The test does not accurately simulate case work conditions

13. Policy recommendation – universal accreditation Marvin Schechter – Sub-Group Chair

14. Policy Recommendation It is recommended that all Forensic Science Service Providers (FSSP) should become accredited. To achieve universal accreditation the Commission recommends that the Attorney General take action to promote and enforce universal accreditation.

15. Proposed Implementation Strategy The Attorney General shall direct all DOJ FSSP’s to maintain their accreditation and those operations such as digital FSSP’s that are not yet accredited shall prepare and apply for accreditation within five years. Accreditation shall be to internationally recognized standards (at a minimum ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, ISO/IEC 17020, General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection and, ISO/IEC 15189, Medical laboratories - Particular Requirements for Quality and Competence) including all appropriate supplemental standards.

16. Proposed Implementation Strategy The Attorney General shall require that DOJ grant funding provided to all FSSPs shall only be granted to those who are accredited or are in the process of achieving accreditation. Further in the future any DOJ funding shall include a special condition requiring that the FSSP entity be accredited. The Attorney General shall require that all federal prosecutions rely on forensic analyses conducted by accredited forensic science service providers after January 2020. The Attorney General should encourage by any means possible the universal accreditation of all FSSP’s with an appropriate enforcement mechanism.

17. Discussion of Public Comments Forensic science service providers are part of a diverse community. It includes but is not limited to, public laboratories and forensic units; medical examiner and coroner offices; and other providers such as private laboratories, individual practitioners and academicians. “Providers that render opinions based only on the review of data from examinations conducted by other entities should not be impacted by this recommendation.”

18. Discussion of Public Comments Accreditation shall be to internationally recognized standards … including all appropriate supplemental standards. “Accreditation bodies shall submit to and be in compliance with ISO/IEC 17011 and be a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)” Sunset date – January 2020

19. Discussion of Public Comments To improve the standardization of forensic science all entities performing forensic science, even on a part-time basis, must be included in universal accreditation. Add “performing forensic science testing,”