U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

July 2000   Volume 2   Number 3

Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories

DNA Advisory Board

July 1998

(Part 1 of 2)

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Preface

Introduction

Mechanism to Recommend Changes to Standards

Effective Date

References

1. Scope

2. Definitions

3. Quality Assurance Program

4. Organization and Management

5. Personnel

6. Facilities

7. Evidence Control

8. Validation

9. Analytical Procedures

10. Equipment Calibration and Maintenance

11. Reports

12. Review

13. Proficiency Testing

14. Corrective Action

15. Audits

16. Safety

17. Subcontractor of Analytical Testing for Which Validated Procedure Exist

Introduction

This document consists of definitions and standards. The standards are quality assurance measures that place specific requirements on the laboratory. Equivalent measures not outlined in this document may also meet the standard if determined to be sufficient through an accreditation process.

Mechanism to Recommend Changes to Standards

Once the Director of the FBI has issued standards for quality assurance for forensic DNA testing, the DNA Advisory Board may recommend revisions to such standards to the FBI Director, as necessary. In the event that the duration of the DNA Advisory Board is extended beyond March 10, 2000, by the FBI Director, the Board may continue to recommend revisions to such standards to the FBI Director. In the event that the DNA Advisory Board is not extended by the FBI Director beyond March 10, 2000, the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM) may recommend revisions to such standards to the FBI Director, as necessary.

Effective Date

These standards shall take effect October 1, 1998.

References

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). ASCLD/LAB Manual. American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board, Garner, North Carolina, 1997.

International Standards Organization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO/IEC Guide 25-1990. American National Standards Institute, New York, 1990.

Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods. Guidelines for a quality assurance program for DNA analysis, Crime Laboratory Digest (1995) 22(2):21–43.

Title 42 CFR Chapter IV, Health Care Financing Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 1996.

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Text of the standards

FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS     JULY 2000   VOLUME 2   NUMBER 3