Quality management in the forensic sciences

Quality management (QM) is a key part of forensic science operations. It is critical to the value and integrity of, and confidence in the results issued by a forensic science service provider.

The aim this unit is to introduce you to the concept of QM, its various components and its role in the accreditation and certification processes.

Accreditation to International Standards such as ISO 17025 has become the norm for forensic science laboratories as a demonstration of their competence.

Accreditation criteria (ISO 17025) cover, for example:

• Management requirements;
• Management system
• Control of records
• Internal audits and management reviews
• Technical requirements;
• Method verification and validation
• Reference standards and materials
• Test and calibration methods
• Proficiency testing
• Reporting results

Although part of the forensic science stream, QM has broad implications across all streams within the Master's degree program and indeed, work places in general.

This on-line Unit will explore components of QM such as quality assurance and quality control, expand on the requirements for accreditation and explain the benefits of the QM process.

Contemporary articles/texts on QM will be provided.