Forensic Biology by Richard Li

1. Chapter 24: Quality Assurance & Quality Control Forensic Biologyby Richard Li

2. Basics • Quality Assurance: Processes that provide confidence that a service meets the requirements for the quality of a laboratory service • Addresses: • Training & Education • Calibration of equipment • Handling procedures • Proficiency testing • Quality Control: operational procedures Forensic Biology by Richard Li

3. Quality Standards in the U.S. • National Research Council (NRC) • DNA Advisory Board • Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) Forensic Biology by Richard Li

4. Int’l Quality Standards • International Soc. For Forensic Genetics • European DNA Profiling Group • European Network of Forensic Science Institutes • Interpol working party • European Standard Set Forensic Biology by Richard Li

5. Accreditation • Used to asses the qualification of a lab to meet est. standards • Voluntary in U.S. • American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Lab Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) • Nat. Forensic Science Training Center • American Assoc. of Blood Banks Forensic Biology by Richard Li

6. Proficiency Testing & Certification • Performance of individual DNA analyst • Every 6 months • Mock cases • Certification • Voluntary • American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) • Diplomate, Fellow, Technical Specialist Forensic Biology by Richard Li

7. Personnel Qualifications • Min. BS/BA degree in Biology, Chemistry, or Forensic Science related area • 6 months forensic lab work experience • Coursework in: • Biochemistry • Genetics • Molecular Biology Forensic Biology by Richard Li