NCJ Number
218694
Date Published
July 2004
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This quality assurance audit document, developed by the FBI Laboratory, assesses compliance with the required standards for applications under the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and the Quality Assurance Standards for Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories.
Abstract
Under the DNA Identification Act of 1994, the DNA Advisory Board developed and implemented quality assurance standards for use by forensic DNA testing laboratories. This was then expanded to include DNA databasing laboratories. The result was two separate documents; Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and the Quality Assurance Standards for Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories. To minimize interpretation variability or confusion, the FBI Laboratory developed an audit document for assessing compliance with the required standards of both documents. This audit document is the result of this combination of the two documents. Fifteen standards represent the audit document. These include: (1) quality assurance program, (2) organization and management, (3) personnel, (4) facilities, (5) evidence or sample control, (6) validation, (7) analytical procedures, (8) equipment calibration and maintenance, (9) reports, (10) review, (11) proficiency testing, (12) corrective action, (13) audits, (14) safety, and (15) subcontractors of analytical testing for which validated. The format of the audit document consists of each standard listed numerically, combining the quality standards of the forensic DNA laboratories and the convicted offender DNA databasing laboratories into one document. Standards that apply exclusively to one application are identified as such, with the designation of either forensics (FO) or convicted offender (CO). The absence of a designation identifies a shared application. The rating system for assessing the laboratory with each standard is listed by the choices of Yes, No, or Not Applicable (N/A). Discussion sections follow standards, as appropriate, and serve to clarify the interpretation necessary for compliance. A comment section is also provided following the discussion areas, affording auditors the opportunity to reference information that may have value in the audit process. Appendix