American Proficiency Testing Program

• NCJ Number: 97420
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1985) Pages: 71-79
• Author(s): D M Lucas; C G Leete; KS Field
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Iran
• Note: Presented at the 10th International Association of Forensic Sciences Meeting, Oxford, England, September 24, 1984.

Annotation

In 1975 the Forensic Sciences Foundation Inc. (FSF) under grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) in the United States carried out a research project on the design and execution of proficiency testing program for crime laboratories.

Abstract

Following completion of that research, FSF Inc. affiliated with Collaborative Testing Services INC. (CTS) to maintain an operational program on a cost recoverable basis and with the assistance of a professional advisory committee (PAC) appointed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD). This paper discusses the problems of running a proficiency testing program of this type on a national/international basis for a large number of laboratories and covering a variety of evidence categories. Problems of confidentiality of results, test design and production, results analysis, and reporting are emphasized. Some evaluation is made of the general types of results reported in this program. (Publisher abstract)