Mary Reed
Indiana State Police
Laboratory Division
AUDIT
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
DNA Audit Process
Beginnings
Purpose
Training
Dynamic Document
Findings vs Comments
Report
Review and Response
History of the Program
In March, 2002 NFSTC started
offering FREE DNA audits to
government crime labs in the
US.
Labs will be audited against
National DNA Quality Assurance
Standards by trained auditors.
This program is made possible
due to a cooperative agreement
between NFSTC and NIJ
PURPOSE
To provide a standard for quality
for DNA testing in the nations
crime labs to ensure integrity of
the data in CODIS
TRAINING
FBI DNA Audit Class, required by
FBI of all auditors
In addition, NFSTC requires
mentoring program – technical
auditors attend app. 5 audits with an
experienced auditor
Learn how to conduct audits, organize
the audit, learn to deal with people,
learns interpretation of stds. from exp.
Auditor
Evaluation of performance of each
auditor at the audit
FINDINGS vs COMMENTS
Comments limited to instruction
to readers as to why a std was
called as NA, or in way of
explanation of a rating
Findings must be stated in terms
of the standard
REPORT
ELECTRONIC FORM
COMMITTEE OF TRAINED
AUDITORS REVIEWS
FINDINGS AND RESPONSE
FINAL REPORT
Free DNA Audit Program Update
August, 2003
Free DNA Audit Program
Labs get the best of the available auditors –70+ auditors in the
program, including 13 lead auditors.
All lead auditors have at least 5 prior audits, many have
completed over 100 audits.
Auditors have access to resources while on site, thru auditor
toolkit and the Program Manager.
The lab gets a final report that has been reviewed against
National DNA Quality Assurance Standards by trained auditors.
Auditors are assigned by the Program Manager, no auditor from
the same state as the lab being audited is permitted to
participate. The lab has no say in who their auditors are.
Auditors sign confidentiality agreements of non-disclosure.
Auditors are paid as professionals - elimination of conflict of
interest to ensure objective performance of auditors.
Auditor performance evaluated by lead auditor and the lab. Poor
performers re-trained or eliminated from the program.
2002 Activity
34 audits were delivered
in 2002.
States where audits were
conducted are in red.
2003 Activity
57 audits were delivered in
2003. States where
audits were conducted
are in yellow.
2004 Activity
71 audits have been
delivered or are scheduled
for 2004. States where
audits are scheduled are in
red.
2003 - New Program Feature
By this Certificate let it be known that
The Forensic DNA Laboratory of
City ____ Police Department
Underwent an external audit by
The National Forensic Science Technology Center
On September 9 and 10, 2002
In accordance with
The National DNA Quality Assurance Standards
And has been deemed in compliance with these standards
After review by the FBI NDIS Board
Upon receipt of a letter of
compliance from NDIS, the
laboratory can request NFSTC
to issue a letter of compliance
2004 - New Program Features
Analyst Certificates – After
standing 2 NFSTC audits,
analysts will receive a certificate
of compliance
Delivery of secure, signed,
electronic reports – rather than
paper reports
Analyst Certificate
By this certificate, let it be known that the education,
training, work experience and duty requirements of
John Doe
of the
Anywhere Police Department,
have been examined by external audits in 2001 and 2003 by
the
National Forensic Science Technology Center
in accordance with the
National DNA Quality Assurance Standards
and
John Doe has been deemed to meet the standards
of a DNA Analyst
DNA Audit Program
Manager
QUESTIONS?
Thank you