IOCE Conference AUDIO/VIDEO/IMAGE PANEL

1. IOCE ConferenceAUDIO/VIDEO/IMAGE PANEL Barbara A. Snyder, QA Manager FAVIAU, FBI Lab Division, MAY 6, 2002

2. WHAT IS QUALITY ASSURANCE? “Quality” = Excellence, Superiority, the Degree or Grade of Excellence. “Assure” = To inform confidently, with a view to removing doubt.To make certain, to insure. (Assure refers to persons, and it alone has the sense of setting a person’s mind at rest.) “Insure or Ensure” = To make safe or secure, as against loss or from harm.

3. IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHEN DEALING WITH EVIDENCE, WHAT ARE WE ASSURING? • We want to make sure the evidence from a crime is made safe and secure. • We want to assure and insure that the personnel working with the evidence are well-trained and qualified. • We want to insure that personnel have the right tools, equipment and secure space to do their job well. • We want to insure that the organization acknowledges and supports the critical need for Quality Assurance, provides protocols, and maintains a QA system.

4. IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHEN DEALING WITH EVIDENCE, WHAT ARE WE ASSURING? • We want to make sure the evidence from a crime is made safe and secure. • We want to assure and insure that the personnel working with the evidence are well-trained and qualified. • We want to insure that personnel have the right tools, equipment and secure space to do their job well. • We want to insure that the organization acknowledges and supports the critical need for Quality Assurance, provides protocols, and maintains a QA system.

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE and DIGITAL EVIDENCE • Digital Evidence and Originality • Volatile • Reusable • Authenticity, Verification, Manipulation • Proprietary and Manufacturer issues • Procurement • Technical issues • QA difficulties with Digital Evidence

6. AMERCAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS (ASCLD) • FBI Laboratory has ASCLD-LAB accreditation • ASCLD-LAB is the certifying body of ASCLD for traditional forensic disciplines • As the accrediting body they outline protocols and conduct audits • The Quality Assurance and Safety Unit of the FBI Laboratory Division assists the various Units in meeting ASCLD standards

7. QA EFFORTS OF FAVIAU • Evidence handling • Case Documentation • Reporting • Standard Operating Procedures • Training and Certification of Examiners • Proficiency Testing • Courtroom Testimony Monitoring • Audits

8. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND QA Individual law enforcement agencies working independently and together with other agencies : • Through scientific working groups and forums, such as, IOCE, SWGDE and others • To share knowledge, experiences, techniques • To conduct and/or fund research aimed at developing new tools and techniques • To strengthen the science All the above, will benefit Quality Assurance.

9. Thank you.