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Quality Management in forensic science: A closer inspection.
Wim Neuteboom1, Alastair Ross2, Lyndal Bugeja3
1Netherlands Forensic Institute (Retired), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497 GB The Hague, Netherlands.
Forensic Science International
|July 21, 2023
Summary
The ISO17025 accreditation standard has limitations in forensic science quality management, particularly concerning crime scene evidence and cognitive skills. Revisions are needed for continued relevance and value in the forensic science community.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Quality Management Systems
- Accreditation Standards
Background:
- Growing concerns exist regarding the adequacy of ISO17025 and ISO17020 for forensic science accreditation.
- The current standards may not sufficiently address the quality of both forensic evidence inputs and expert output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey the benefits and limitations of ISO17025 accreditation in forensic science.
- To identify areas for improving quality management across the end-to-end forensic process.
Main Methods:
- An international survey was developed and disseminated to directors and senior managers of forensic science laboratories.
- The survey focused on three themes: fitness for purpose, competences, and education & training.
- Cooperation was secured from the International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) and six regional networks.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests ISO17025 lacks fitness for purpose for the entire forensic science continuum.
- There is a lack of consensus on the definition of forensic science and recognition of crime scene investigation.
- Many competences, especially cognitive ones, are not adequately identified, monitored, or assessed.
Conclusions:
- The forensic science community must reconsider its quality management approach for ISO17025 to remain relevant.
- Intrinsic motivation, not customer-driven incentives, currently drives accreditation and continuous improvement.
- Addressing the identified gaps is crucial for the future value and effectiveness of forensic science accreditation.
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