Laboratory Management, Quality and Accreditation

Flashcards related to laboratory management, quality, and accreditation in the context of forensic science.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST

To uphold the methodological integrity of their scientific discipline and guarantee the validity of its technological and contextual applications.

Qualities of a Forensic Scientist

Objective, Impartial, Honest

Randox Testing Services Case

More than 10,500 cases dating back to 2014 had to be reviewed after it was established some of the forensic results at Randox Testing Services were incorrect.

Adam Scott Case

Wrongly charged with rape was the 'innocent victim of an avoidable contamination' at a private forensics laboratory.

Ursula Collins Case

Scientist allegedly mishandled evidence in 33 criminal cases, including 21 rapes.

Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

Ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards.

Code of Practice for Providers of Forensic Science Services

Initial forensic activity at a scene, Scene examination strategy, Recovery, preservation, transport and storage of exhibits etc.

Duty of an Expert

As an expert your duty is to assist the court; Aim of disclosure is to ensure that there is a fair trial; Everything is retained in the case file

Laboratory quality management system - Documentation

Every administrative procedure in laboratory, All scientific methods, Preparation of reagents etc.

Training & Competence records

Academic / professional qualification, Courses attended, Relevant training etc.

Laboratory Facilities

Suitable for work to be undertaken; Good environmental conditions; Protection against risks such as arson / theft / interference with exhibit etc.

Quality Failures/non-conformities

Unexpected performance in proficiency testing/inter-laboratory comparisons; Missing or compromised items/case files; Equipment not being calibrated/maintained appropriately etc.

Code of Practice – Technical Records (ISO 17025)

Verbal communications, Reports, Telephone conversations etc. ALL records to be clear and understandable such that another practitioner can follow work undertaken, interpretation/opinions made

Accreditation - United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

Appointed by government, to assess and accredit organisations that provide services including certification, testing, inspection and calibration.

Reference Data Reliability

Laboratory methods; Laboratory equipment used

Validation defined

A documented program providing a high degree of assurance that a specific technique will consistently produce results within defined specifications and quality parameters

Accuracy

How close results are to true value.

Precision

How close the experimental results to each other – the degree of repeatability of the technique under the same conditions.

Limit of detection

Smallest amount of a substance that can be detected, but not necessarily quantified.

Limit of quantification/Sensitivity

Smallest amount of substance in a sample that can be accurately measured by the technique

Specificity

Ability of the technique to measure or detect only what it is intended to measure or detect

Range

Interval between the lower and upper levels of detection which the technique has been demonstrated to produce accurate and precise results

Reproducibility

Ability of the technique to produce results that can be replicated by another qualified analyst

Robustness

Capacity of the technique to remain unaffected by variations in the techniques parameters

Ruggedness

Ability to use the technique in other laboratories or under different circumstances without unexpected differences in results.