ACCREDITATION for Forensic Science Laboratories February 2015
The temptation is to begin with the question ‘How do I get my lab accredited?’
The better question to ask is ‘Why should I get my lab accredited?’
Ensuring the proper focus helps lab management make better decisions
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION
The importance of demonstrating that all forensic services are provided in accordance with accepted standards has increased in recent years. Accreditation provides that essential, external, independent review. Accreditation increases the level of confidence for customers and all interested parties in the work and work product of the laboratory.
THE VALUE OF ACCREDITATION
Accreditation: procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal recognition that a lab is competent to carry out specified tasks
Accreditation body: organization conducting and administering an accreditation system and granting accreditation
Certification: refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit – in the forensic community this is most frequently focused on the individual (e.g. ABC, IAI)
VOCABULARY
Universities
Hospitals
In order to receive reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid
Law enforcement
U.S. Department of Education has a listing of both Institutional Accreditation and Specialized Accreditation (e.g. Law, Nursing, Speech Therapy)
CALEA (one example)
Electrical products
Underwriters Laboratories (one example)
OTHER COMMUNITIES USING ACCREDITATION
National and international recognition
For example: why did you encourage your kids to pursue a degree? And why did you consider one school over another?
For example: if you need a medical procedure, how do you evaluate the hospital or doctor?
Proactive management process (e.g. documenting policies and procedures, performing internal audits, annual management review, proficiency testing personnel)
Community creditability and public confidence
Developing an internal culture of quality and understanding
WHY ACCREDITATION?
ISO = International Organization for Standardization (not an acronym) www.iso.org
From the Greek ISOS ( ΙΣΩΣ ) which means equal
Organization which publishes over 19,000 standards and guidelines
From manufacturing and healthcare to space vehicles and railways
Documents available for purchase in the USA from www.ansi.org
In many countries accreditation is government based and mandatory
In the USA there are only seven states with legislated accreditation for forensic labs: TX, OK, NY, MO, NC, MD, MN (FYI - TX requires accreditation for both public and private forensic labs)
WHY ISO?
Voluntary regional ‘recognition’ process
APLAC (Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)
EA (European Accreditation Cooperation)
IAAC (Inter American Accreditation Cooperation)
SADCA (South African Development Community Accreditation)
Using ISO/IEC 17011 for evaluation
WHO MONITORS THE ACCREDITATION BODIES?
ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)
Based in Australia www.ilac.org
Publishes ILAC G19 [2014] for the forensic community [free PDF resource]
Developed a helpful brochure to better understand accreditation: http://www.ascld-lab.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/Why-become-an-acreditedlab.pdf
Posted a useful video: http://youtu.be/hMj_dZ8zoSQ
AND WHO SETS THE STANDARDS FOR THESE REGIONAL BODIES?
ASCLD/LAB HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY ILAC SINCE 2009
Unfortunately no
But it makes it much more likely that someone or a monitoring action will proactively identify these departures BEFORE they become catastrophic
This entire process is focused on developing a ‘culture of quality’ for both management and technical personnel
Similar to ‘how does a community develop a positive relationship with law enforcement?’ It takes time and requires the development of trust and respect
WILL ACCREDITATION PREVENT PERSONNEL PROBLEMS AND MISCHIEF?
Obtain a copy of the accreditation requirements
For ASCLD/LAB this would be ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 and the appropriate set of Supplemental Requirements
Seek training to get a better picture of what the requirements mean and how the process works
Locate a mentor or partner organization so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel
Observing an internal audit in an accredited lab may provide a better picture of what needs to be done to prepare
Begin the application process
There are many steps on the path
HOW TO BEGIN . . .
ISO/IEC 17025
Section 4 - Management focus
15 subsections
ASCLD/LAB – International Supplemental Requirements
Forensic specific requirements developed by the forensic science community
Established using requirements originally developed and continually improved since 1982
One program for forensic science testing and one for breath alcohol calibration
Section 5 – Technical requirements
10 subsections
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM
Organization
Complaints
Management system
Document control
Controlling nonconforming testing and/or calibration work
Review of requests, tenders and contracts
Improvement
Corrective action
Subcontracting
Preventive action
Purchasing services and supplies
Control of records
Service to the customer
Internal audits
Management review
MORE INFORMATION – SECTION 4
General technical requirements
Personnel
Accommodations and environmental conditions
Measurement traceability
Sampling
Handling of test items
Test methods
Assuring the quality of test results
Equipment
Test reports
MORE INFORMATION – SECTION 5
Completing a conformance file
Performing an internal audit before making application
Completing a full management review before application
Compiling all required information for the application
Preparing staff and management
The assessment process is conducted by peers – not easily bluffed
Remember to breathe
HOW TO PREPARE
The process is about improvement
Not focused on ‘find the problem’
Focus is ‘confirm conformance’
Plan > Do > Check > Act
Deming’s wheel of continuous improvement
Also – this process is more than ‘once and done’
Monitoring activities are included in the accreditation process
Annual proficiency testing, annual audit, annual management review, performance declaration report, on-site surveillance visits
Reaccreditation every four years
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Laser focus on forensic science community
Not distracted by competing priorities and multiple business models
Longest running forensic science accreditation program in the world
Centuries of experience provided by the permanent staff of ASCLD/LAB
Current staff: http://www.ascld-lab.org/ascldlab-staff-directory/
Forensic scientists serve as our volunteer technical assessors
WHY CHOOSE ASCLD/LAB?
Board of Directors
Not bureaucratic paper pushers
Actual forensic laboratory directors, criminal justice representatives and scientific academicians
Volunteers for four years
Current Board: http://www.ascld-lab.org/ascldlab-board-of-directors/
CREDENTIALS OF THE ASCLD/LAB DECISION MAKING BODY
When needed ASCLD/LAB provides clarifications and interpretations for the community
http://www.ascldlab.org/ascldlabinternational-testingprogram-boardinterpretations/
HELPFUL CLARIFICATIONS
www.ascld-lab.org
www.afqam.org
Annual meeting for lab director networking
www.iso.org
Annual meeting for quality manager networking
www.ascld.org
Website information and training resources
Resources and information
www.ilac.org
Resources and guidance documents
RESOURCES
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS, LABORATORY ACCREDITATION BOARD - ASCLD/LAB 139J Technology Drive Garner, NC 27529 Main +1.919.773.2600 www.ascld-lab.org
