- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 5 :: Assuring Quality
Topic 3 :: The Significance of Quality Assurance
Understanding Limitations
Laboratories can produce accurate testing without complying with all consensus standards or without accreditation. Each instance of evaluation of results from a laboratory that is not accredited, or that may be questioned in regard to compliance with a specific standard, must be considered on a situational basis.
For example, Standard 17 of the QAS refers to subcontracting. A laboratory that subcontracts may not meet this standard and so would not be accredited. However, that finding has no significant bearing on the validity of its own testing. Another example is that a laboratory may not have complied with the letter of its policy and procedures on equipment calibration, but may be able to demonstrate that all its QC measures were satisfied.
Scientifically, these situations have to be judged on the likely impact on the quality of the specific test results.
Legally, non-conformances may become relevant in assessing DNA evidence admissibility or weight.
