Transcript Chapter 8 : Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits

Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits
TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT
WITNESSES
Module 8:
Lab Accreditation,
Protocol, & Audits
presented by James E. Klaunig
Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits
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
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Module 8: Lab Accreditation, Protocol, & Audits
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
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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
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Chain of custody
Preservation of sample
SOPs
Instrumentation
– Depends on the drug/poison being examined
̶ GC Head space
̶ GC MS
̶ LC MSMS
̶ 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
TOXICOLOGY, SCIENCE & EXPERT
WITNESSES
Module 8:
Lab Accreditation,
Protocol, & Audits
presented by James E. Klaunig