Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

Module 8:

Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Auditspresented by James E. Klaunig

TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT WITNESSES

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

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Lab Accreditation, Protocol & Audits• Custody of Sample– Transport

• National Academy of Science Report• Accreditation• Protocol Development• Testing Instruments– Validation, calibration, and maintenance

• Standards for Comparison• Audits• Retests

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

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Custody of Sample

• Physical preservation• Chain of custody– Document all individuals that handled the

specimen– Demonstrate lack of tampering– Document that the specimen belongs to the

identified subject• Failure to maintain chain of custody can

result in exclusion of the evidence

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

Transport

• To lab• Officer delivery•Mail or delivery service– Court decision that mail delivery is ok

•Within lab•Why business records apply to lab

record documentation?• Arrival at lab• Science

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

Laboratory

• Chain of custody• Preservation of sample• SOPs• Instrumentation

– Depends on the drug/poison being examined̶� GC Head space̶� GC MS̶� LC MSMS̶� ELISA

• Instrument validation, calibration, and maintenance– Positive controls/standards– Duplicate/triplicate samples– Save sample for future testing

• Accreditation– is just a way to solidify that the lab is following certain procedures

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

National Academy of Science Report• Too many … in the forensic science

community are strapped in their work, for lack of:– adequate resources, – sound policies, – and national support.

• The forensic science community is also plagued by fragmentation and inconsistent practices in federal, state, and local law enforcement jurisdictions and agencies.• The quality of practice in forensic science

disciplines varies greatly.

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

Module 8:

Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Auditspresented by James E. Klaunig

TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT WITNESSES