Forensic Foundations provide proficiency testing to simulate real laboratory work 2024

Background and test design

Proficiencytesting@forensicfoundations

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Forensic Foundations International’s (FFI) 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. FFI has adopted this approach and have designed their Proficiency Tests to address risks, where possible, at all stages of the forensic process.

FFI 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 FFI 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 (where possible).

Proficiency tests provide a mechanism for participating laboratories to review their results and those of other laboratories to facilitate*:

•  Management of risk
•  Evaluation and appraisal of their performance
•  Continuous improvement,

FFI 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. It is planned to add digital forensic to our scope late in 2024.

Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests comply with the requirements of:

• ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Conformity assessment — General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers
• NATA General Accreditation Criteria Proficiency Testing Providers
• Guidance on the conduct of proficiency tests and collaborative exercises within ENSFI (relevant sections)

The Final Reports FFI Proficiency Tests will be publicly available via the FFI’s web site however individual laboratory results will remain confidential. Participating laboratories may use the report as outlined in their respective laboratory policies.

In addition to offering a program of proficiency tests, FFI also provide bespoke inter-laboratory collaborative trial, bespoke and blind proficiency tests and validation samples.

Appeals

Any queries or disagreements regarding results should be reported directly to the Director, FFI. Forensic Foundations International will perform a full review of the results queried by the participant. This review will be conducted in-line with Forensic Foundations International’s (FFI) Corrective Action procedures. FFI will advise the participant of the outcome of the review. If the outcome of the review is in favour of the participant, then the Report will be amended to reflect the revised evaluation and forwarded to all participants.

*

• ISO17025 (2017) General requirements for the competency of testing and calibration laboratories.
• NATA (2021) General Accreditation Criteria Proficiency Testing Policy
• ANAB ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Forensic Science Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation Requirements (2019)
• General Requirements- Proficiency Testing for ISO-IEC 17025 Laboratories (2021)
• EA -4-18 Guidance on  the level and frequency of  proficiency testing participation (2021)
• ILAC-P9 ILAC Policy for Participation in National and International Proficiency Testing Activities (2024)