NCJ Number
218824
Date Published
July 2000
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The FBI Laboratory's DNA Advisory Board presents definitions and standards for quality assurance in a laboratory in which forensic DNA testing is performed.
Abstract
The laboratory's quality assurance manual shall address, at a minimum, goals and objectives, organization and management, personnel qualifications and training, facilities, evidence control, validation, analytical procedures, calibration and maintenance, proficiency testing, corrective action, reports, review, safety, and audits. The standard for the quality assurance program states that the laboratory shall establish and maintain a documented quality assurance system that is appropriate to the testing activities. The standard for organization and management requires that the laboratory have a managerial staff with the authority and resources needed to discharge their duties and meet the requirements of quality assurance standards. It also specifies that a technical manager or leader be accountable for the laboratory's technical operations. Further, the laboratory should specify and document the responsibility, authority, and interrelation of all personnel who manage, perform, or verify work that affects the validity of the DNA analysis. One standard for laboratory personnel states that all personnel shall have the education, training, and experience commensurate with the examination and testimony provided. Other personnel standards state the qualifications for the technical manager, the examiner/analyst, technicians, and laboratory support personnel. The standard for facilities states that it should be designed to provide adequate security and minimize contamination. Two standards address evidence control; one standard pertains to validation; three standards focus on analytical procedures; and three standards cover equipment calibration and maintenance. Other standards are presented for reports, review, proficiency testing, corrective actions, audits, safety, and subcontractor of analytical testing for which validated procedures exist. For each standard, requirements for its implementation are provided.