NCJ Number
217189
Journal
Evidence Technology Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2006 Pages: 36-39
Date Published
December 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Liquid Delivery Quality Assurance (LDQA) segment of the National Forensic Science Technology Center’s technician-training program and use of the pipette calibration system (PCS) in the verification of delivered volume.
Abstract
The integrity of data in forensic laboratories is of essential importance, since the data will be considered by juries in making life-altering decisions in the conviction or acquittal of an individual on trial. To ensure accurate and precise results, laboratories need an integrated quality-assurance program. The National Forensic Science Technology Center’s (NFSTC) key focus is support for quality assurance systems. An essential segment of the NFSTC’s technician-training program is the Liquid Delivery Quality Assurance or LDQA. The liquid delivery in forensic-laboratory testing procedures serves an important role due to the limited availability of sample material and the minute volumes tested. Any small discrepancies in delivered volumes can impact the integrity of evidentiary results. This article describes the use of the pipette calibration system (PCS) which utilizes proprietary ratio-metric photometry, thereby providing immediate verification of delivered volume. The PCS is used to effectively educate trainees in the importance of liquid delivery for accurate test results.