Accreditation Fundamentals

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards for understanding key terms and concepts related to accreditation in forensic science laboratories.

Accreditation

The recognition of competence through independent assessments of a laboratory’s technical, administrative, and quality systems.

Laboratory Accreditation

The recognition of competence through an independent third-party assessment of a laboratory's quality, administrative, and technical systems.

ISO/IEC 17025

An international standard that specifies the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

Accrediting Body

An organization that evaluates and recognizes laboratories as competent based on standardized criteria.

Quality Assurance

Planned actions to provide confidence that a laboratory’s products or services will meet specified requirements.

Quality Control

Actions used to monitor the quality of analytical data to ensure it satisfies specified criteria.

Nonconformance

When any aspect of laboratory activities or results does not conform to procedures or agreed requirements.

Proficiency Testing

Testing conducted to evaluate the performance of a laboratory or its personnel against established criteria.

Corrective Action

Actions taken to control and correct a nonconformity and eliminate its cause.

Continuous Improvement

A systematic ongoing effort to enhance products, services, or processes.

Self-Disclosure of Nonconformities

The requirement for laboratories to inform accrediting bodies of any significant nonconformities related to accreditation requirements.

Surveillance Assessment

On-site evaluations that typically occur every two years to ensure laboratories maintain compliance with accreditation standards.

Accreditation Process Steps

Application Submission, Preparation & Pre-Assessment, Documentation Review, On-Site Assessment, Findings & Corrective Actions, Accreditation Decision, Surveillance & Reassessment.

Voluntary Withdrawal

The process by which a laboratory may request to suspend its accreditation due to closure or other circumstances.

Key Terms in Accreditation

Essential vocabulary related to accreditation processes including Quality System, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Nonconformance, and Corrective Action.

NCFS

National Commission on Forensic Science; involved in recommendations for universal accreditation in forensic science.

Compliance Monitoring

Activities undertaken by accrediting bodies to ensure laboratories continue to meet accreditation standards over time.

Management System Requirements

Requirements that outline how an organization manages its processes to meet accreditation standards.

Accreditation Benefits

Improves quality and reliability, promotes continuous improvement, and strengthens legal credibility in forensic science.