A brief introduction to our Proficiency Tests
Background and test design
Proficiencytesting@forensicfoundations
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests are designed to address the following issues:
- Relevance to forensic science laboratories;
- Limitation of any potential context information;
- Knowledge of the ‘ground truth’ of the samples; and
- Cost affordability for the laboratories.
ISO17025:2017 identifies risk management as an integral component of any scientific testing. Forensic Foundations has adopted this approach and have designed their Proficiency Tests to address risks, where possible, at all stages of the forensic process.
Forensic Foundations has also adopted the framework embodied in the AS 5388 ‘Forensic Analysis’ and the ISO 21043 ‘Forensic Sciences’ series of Standards. These Standards describe the forensic examination process from collection to reporting. Thus, all Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests commence with item collection and/or receipt and all the subsequent examination / analysis steps, culminating in the reporting, thus reflecting actual forensic casework.
Forensic Foundations is accredited to ISO17043 ‘Conformity Assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing’ and currently forensic biology, chemical criminalistics and forensic document examination are covered by the scope of accreditation.
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests comply with the requirements of:
- ISO17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories,
- NATA General Accreditation Criteria Proficiency Testing Policy (2018)
- NATA Specific Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17025 Application Document, Legal (including Forensic Science) – Appendix (2018)
- ANAB ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Forensic Science Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation Requirements (2019)
- ANAB Accreditation Manual for Forensic Service Providers (2019)
- Guidance on the Conduct of Proficiency Tests and Collaborative Exercises Within ENSFI (2014)
In addition to offering a program of proficiency tests, Forensic Foundation also offers a number of inter-laboratory collaborative trial. These trials are offered where the test is still in the development phase and/or the tests is niche and/or the field of study is not currently covered by our scope of accreditation.
The Final Reports Forensic Foundations Proficiency Tests will be publicly available via the Forensic Foundations web site however individual laboratory results will remain confidential. Participating laboratories may use the report as outlined in their respective laboratory policies.
2023BioEE Biological examination & DNA End-to-End
Biological examination & DNA End-to-End
A summary of the Scenario:
Sexual Assault:
The complainant alleges that she has been sexually assaulted at a family event. She alleges that a non-biological relative had attacked her while she was sleeping, held her down once she awoke, then raped her.
During the assault, she believes she scratched the offender.
There are conflicting versions of the events.
Participants will receive:
The complainant’s medical samples and reference sample.
Bedding.
Reference samples from three suspects.
Test to be distributed in April 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio1 BPA
Forensic Biology – Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Participants will receive:
Detailed high-resolution photographs of the scene, with and without scales.
Test to be distributed in February 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio2 Y FIler
Forensic Biology – DNA Profiling Y Filer
Participants will receive:
The complainant’s medical samples and reference sample.
Reference samples from three suspects.
Test to be distributed in March 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio3 Kinship
Forensic Biology – Kinship (DNA)
Participants will receive:
Reference samples from individuals allegedly biologically related.
Test to be distributed in June 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio4 Biological Examination & DNA
Forensic Biology – Biological Examination & DNA
Participants will receive:
Two pieces of clothing.
Test to be distributed in July 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio5 Hair Examination
Forensic Biology – Hair Examination
Participants will receive:
Five hairs individually mounted on microscope slides.
Test to be distributed in August 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023Bio6 Biological Examination & DNA
Forensic Biology – Biological Examination & DNA
Participants will receive:
Swabs collected from the crime scene reference samples.
Test to be distributed in September 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CCEE Glass Examination End-to-End
Chemical Criminalistics – Glass Examination End-to-End
Burglary:
A window has been broken in the course of a burglary.
The offender was alleged to be wearing fabric gloves.
Participants will receive:
Gloves seized from a number of suspects.
Reference glass sample from the broken window.
Test to be distributed in March 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC1 Personal Lubricant Analysis
Chemical Criminalistics – Personal Lubricant Analysis
Participants will receive:
Swabs collected from complainant and three suspects.
Test to be distributed in February 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC2 Ink Analysis
Chemical Criminalistics – Ink Analysis
** This test contains a component of 2023FDEEE. The full FDE test will contain Forensic Document Examination elements as well as an ink analysis component
2023CC2 Ink analysis will contain only the ink analysis component.
Participants will receive:
Documents with alterations and obliterations.
Test to be distributed in April 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC3 Fibre Examination
Chemical Criminalistics – Fibre Examination
Participants will receive:
A tape lift taken from the victim’s clothing. Samples of clothing from suspects.
Test to be distributed in May 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC4 Ignitable Fluid Residue Analysis
Chemical Criminalistics – Ignitable fluid Residue Analysis
Participants will receive:
Samples cut from burnt carpet.
Control samples of carpet from unburnt areas.
Test to be distributed in June 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC5 Automotive Paint Analysis
Chemical Criminalistics – Automotive Paint Analysis
Participants will receive:
Samples of paint collected from accident scene.
Sample of paint collected from suspect vehicles.
Test to be distributed in July 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023CC6 Pepper Spray / Chemical Irritant
Chemical Criminalistics – Pepper (Capsicum) Spray / Chemical Irritant
Participants will receive:
Swabs collected from clothing of the alleged victim and assailant(s).
Test to be distributed in August 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023FP1 Latent Comparison
Fingerprint Examination – Latent Comparison
Participants will receive:
Images of dusted marks and the enhanced marks.
10 print sets taken from deceased and deceased’s flat mate.
10 print sets taken from 2 suspects.
Test to be distributed in April 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023FPEE Fingerprint Enhancement, Detection & Identification End-to-End
Fingerprint Examination – Fingerprint Enhancement, Detection & Identification End-to-End
Homicide:
Documents have been located in the possession of 2 individuals currently suspects in a homicide enquiry.
Participants will receive:
3 x documents.
10 print sets taken from the deceased.
10 print sets taken from 2 suspects.
Test to be distributed in August 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023FDEEE Forensic Document Examination – Physical Examination End-to-End
Forensic Document Examination – Physical Examination End-to-End
Fraud:
An anonymous note has been received about a crime which discusses
information which has not been disclosed publicly.
Participants will receive:
Physical documents with both printed and handwritten entries.
Test to be distributed in April 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023FDE1 Signature Analysis
Forensic Document Analysis – Signature Analysis
Participants will receive:
High resolution images of questioned signatures.
High resolution images of specimen signatures.
Test to be distributed in October 2023
For more info or to purchase click here
2023DFEE Mobile Phone Examination End-to-End
Digital Forensics – Mobile Phone Examination End-to-End
Drug investigation:
A mobile phone has been seized from a suspect in a drug importation investigation.
Participants will receive:
A mobile phone
Test to be distributed in July 2023
This test is an Inter-Laboratory Collaborative Trial.
Interlaboratory Collaborative Trials are offered where the test is still in the development phase and/or the test is in a niche area of expertise.
For more info or to purchase click here
2023DF1 Digital Forensics – Small Media
Digital Forensics – Small Media
Participants will receive:
One or more items of small media (e.g. USB/thumb drives, SD cards).
Test to be distributed in May 2023
This test is an Inter-Laboratory Collaborative Trial.
Interlaboratory Collaborative Trials are offered where the test is still in the development phase and/or the test is in a niche area of expertise.
For more info or to purchase click here
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Photos: County Court of Victoria. Used with permission.
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