Abstract
The examination of forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) plays an important role in criminal proceedings. The examination of evidence must be documented and validated according to scientifically validated methods to ensure that this process takes place in line with national and international standards. Laboratories undertaking forensic DNA analysis are accredited according to the international standard for assessing the technical competence of laboratories. Quality assurance is critical to reliable laboratory functions and is an essential preparatory step in the accreditation process. There are international and national forensic science laboratories in both the private and public sectors. Forensic science laboratories in the South African private sector are subject to regular accreditation peer review in order to demonstrate, as independently as possible, that they are in compliance with quality management systems.
Accreditation is essential in respect of forensic science laboratories as it confirms the accuracy, reliability and quality of the test results that they produce. Laboratories may, for a variety of reasons, decide not to pursue accreditation. The reasons in this regard may include the costs that accreditation implies, the complexity associated with meeting all the elements of the set requirements, a lack of perceived benefits, or a lack of legal obligation. It is important to note that, where accredited status is not in place, this does not necessarily mean that laboratory test results are inaccurate or unreliable. Nonetheless, accreditation can provide independent assurance of quality and reliability. Internationally, it is recommended as best practice that forensic DNA testing laboratories should obtain accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to quality and transparency. While the accreditation of forensic science laboratories is a requirement in many countries, it is not a legal obligation in South Africa. Instead, South African forensic science laboratories are expected to implement a quality management system that meets ISO and SANAS standards. The quality auditors have identified that forensic analysts, when presenting evidence in court, frequently claim that their laboratories have a quality management system in place. Despite this, it becomes clear during further investigation of the recurring internal audits or legal procedures that there are significant deviations from this alleged system – or even from accepted national or international standards. In addition, many forensic science laboratories claim that accreditation is redundant and it is, therefore, not implemented. The researchers investigated the importance of peer review with respect to the quality management systems that must be used in forensic DNA testing laboratories in South Africa. The research questions address two crucial aspects: firstly, how important it is for DNA testing laboratories to implement a quality management system, and secondly, why external peer review of the quality management systems through accreditation is of the utmost importance for these laboratories. The overarching purpose of the research in this article is descriptive in nature. The research is based primarily on a systematic and non-exploratory, descriptive literature review and an assessment of academic literature regarding the regulatory framework for quality control systems and peer review of forensic DNA testing laboratories in South Africa.
Keywords: accreditation; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); forensic DNA testing; quality control; quality management; peer review
- This article’s featured image was created by Warren Umoh and obtained from Unsplash.
Lees die volledige artikel in Afrikaans:
Die belangrikheid van gehaltebestuurstelsels in forensiese DNS-toetslaboratoria in Suid-Afrika