A2LA Accredits Forensic Proficiency Test Provider and First Forensic Trace Evidence Analysis Testing Laboratory
Frederick, MD (PRWEB) July 29, 2014 -- The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is proud to announce the dual accreditation of Forensic Science Consultants (FSC) to ISO/IEC 17025 for Forensic Testing and their subsidiary, Forensic Testing Services (FTS) to ISO/IEC 17043 as a Proficiency Testing Provider. FSC is also the first forensic laboratory to be accredited by A2LA in the field of trace evidence analysis.
Forensic Science Consultants (http://www.forsci.com), located in Williamston, Michigan, is now accredited to perform controlled substance and trace evidence analysis. Forensic Testing Services (http://www.forensic-testing.net) is now accredited for their forensic proficiency testing schemes in Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Tape Examination, Bulb Examination for On/Off, Hair Examination, Gun Shot Residue (GSR), Tire Impressions, Physical (Fracture) Match, Basic Hair Screening, Clandestine Laboratory Chemical, Low Explosives, Chemical Unknowns, Lubricants, and Fabric Damage. For a full listing of the testing and proficiency testing options included in the FSC/FTS accreditation, please review their Scopes of Accreditation, certificates 3667.01 and 3667.02, on the A2LA.org website.
When asked about the experience, Christopher Bommarito, President of FSC/FTS, commented that “FSC has been focused on providing unbiased expert analysis since we began offering forensic laboratory services in 2003. Our expertise in trace evidence allowed us to venture into proficiency testing with the formation of FTS in 2007 and since then we have become one of the leading forensic proficiency testing providers in the world, providing proficiency testing services to over 150 forensic laboratory systems in 28 countries. Our commitment to quality in both laboratory analysis and proficiency testing led us to seek dual accreditation under both ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17043. We chose A2LA’s accreditation program due to their wide scope of accreditations and their great reputation, both in the U.S. and internationally. It was a daunting task to become accredited under two different ISO standards, but the A2LA staff were experienced, insightful and a pleasure to work with, which made for a wholly positive accreditation process.”
Through peer evaluation to ISO/IEC 17011 and mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) A2LA has gained international recognition of its programs and passes on that recognition to its accredited organizations. The A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 forensic accreditation program is internationally-recognized through A2LA’s MRA with the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). The A2LA ISO/IEC 17043 proficiency testing provider accreditation program is internationally-recognized through A2LA’s MRA with the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) In addition, A2LA has also received federal and state recognitions as described on the A2LA website (http://www.a2la.org/recognition/dom_recog.cfm).
For additional information about the A2LA forensic accreditation program, please see the A2LA forensic program webpage (http://www.A2LA.org/appsweb/forensics.cfm) or contact Karin Athanas at 301 644 3236 or [email protected].
ABOUT A2LA:
A2LA is a non-profit, non-governmental, public service, membership society offering programs for the accreditation of testing/calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers and product certification bodies. A2LA offers accreditation programs for forensic testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) and crime scene units (ISO/IEC 17020). A2LA is approved in Maryland, North Carolina and Texas to accredit forensic facilities and approved to perform external FBI QAS assessments.
Karin Athanas, American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), http://www.A2LA.org, +1 (301) 644-3236, [email protected]
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