Minneapolis Police Department Crime Lab ASCLD/LAB ISO International Accreditation

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1 Minneapolis Police Department Crime Lab ASCLD/LAB ISO International Accreditation

2 ASCLD/LAB ISO International Accreditation The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) is the oldest and most well known crime/forensic laboratory accrediting body in the world. Internationally recognized as an ISO/IEC compliant accrediting body in the field of forensic science by International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) since April Accredits most of the federal, state and local crime laboratories in the United States plus forensic laboratories in six countries outside of the United States. In 2009 the MPD s Crime Lab had the distinction of being the first crime lab in Minnesota to receive the ASCLD/Lab International Accreditation. Attaining this level of accreditation was the result of a long and diligent 5 year process.

3 ASCLD/LAB Accreditation process is guided by four primary objectives: 1. To improve the quality of laboratory services provided to the criminal justice system. 2. To adopt, develop and maintain criteria which may be used by a laboratory to assess its level of performance and to strengthen its operation. 3. To provide an independent, impartial, and objective system by which laboratories can benefit from a total operational review. 4. To offer to the general public and to users of laboratory services a means of identifying those laboratories which have demonstrated that they meet established standards.

4 MPD Crime Lab Accreditation Process: Required a complete review and expansion of our Lab policies, procedures and documentation processes in order to meet and conform to a cadre of ISO laboratory standards. Next ASCLD examiners spent several days assessing our Crime Lab processes and procedures to assure that all 408 required standards were met and any deficiencies identified. Following this Assessment, our Lab personnel spent several months assuring, and demonstrating through careful documentation, that all items identified during the assessment were brought into conformance with ASCLD/LAB international standards. Once this was accomplished we received ASCLD/Lab International Accreditation

5 Accreditation is an important stamp of credibility. It demonstrates that our lab has appropriate procedures, controls and methods of documentation to assure that the findings and identifications reached through forensic processes are accurate and verifiable. It provides: Increased confidence of personnel in their work Improved control of operations Increased credibility with customers (law enforcement personnel, justice officials, government officials and the public) Increased efficiencies.

6 Benefits of Forensic Certifications Internationally recognized certifying organizations: International Association of Identification (IAI); Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA). Establish necessary education, training, and examination standards that must be met to attain particular certifications Attaining certifications establishes credibility of individual analysts and examiners Require continuing education for re-certification. Keeps scientist current in their areas of expertise. Relevant to the every day tasks and work performed by the FSs in Crime Lab

7 Individual Certifications attained by Crime Lab Personnel All of Field Operations Forensic Scientist are required as condition of employment to attain: IAI Crime Scene investigator Certification (minimum of one year before they can test for this). Successfully complete two year training process, pass Crime Lab training curriculum and latent identification tests. Fully qualified Forensic Scientists

8 IAI Advanced Crime Scene Analyst Certification (4) Requires six years experience Five hour examination to demonstrate proficiency in advanced crime scene investigation processes and procedures

9 IAI Latent Print Certification (3) Minimum of two years of experience in the comparison and identification of latent prints. Extensive study and preparation Pass a rigorous written exam and latent comparison identification examination to demonstrate proficiency.

10 LEVA Forensic Video Analyst Certification Requires a series of classes. Must complete various projects and presentations to demonstrate proficiency in advanced Forensic Video competencies Must be completed in four years (from start of first class

11 Areas of Specialties Working toward Certifications Several FSs have training is particular areas (above and beyond their regular duties). Includes Blood Stain Pattern Analysis, Footwear and Tire track Examination and Shooting Reconstruction/Trajectory. They have however, taken numerous courses and are working toward Certifications in these areas.

12 Crime Lab Unit Field Ops Car 21 MAFIN Forensic Garage Firearms/Tool Marks Photo Lab Computer Forensics Video Forensics