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Home • About Us • Laboratory Services • Biometric Analysis • CODIS • Summary of new Database QAS revisions effective 9-1-2011

Summary of new Database QAS revisions effective 9-1-2011

Summary of new Database QAS revisions effective 9-1-2011

Download printable version (pdf)

The FBI Director has issued revisions to the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories. These minor revisions will provide states with additional flexibility in data processing, analysis, and technical review.

The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) is drafting revisions to the QAS Audit Documents. Once these revisions are reviewed and approved they will be distributed to the DNA community.

All revisions will take effect September 1, 2011.

To assist in your review, revisions to the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories have been made to the following sections:

Definitions Analyst (addition of words “or contract employee”)
Definitions Contract Employee (NEW)
Definitions Laboratory Support Personnel (addition of words “or contract employees”)
Definitions On-Site Visit (additional detail on who can perform on-site visit)
Definitions Outsourcing (added “when applicable” to mirror Forensic QAS)
Definitions Technical Reviewer (addition of words “or contract employee”)
Definitions Technician (addition of words “or contract employee”)
Standard 5.2.3.2.7 (NEW)
Standard 5.4 (addition of words “or contract employee”)
Standard 5.5, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3 (NEW)
Standard 5.6 and 5.7 (renumbered)
Standard 10.2.1.4 and 10.4.1.4 (added comma)
Standard 15.1 and 15.2 (clarifies qualifications of audit team)
Standard 17.3 (deleted words “or to search in”)
Standard 17.4.3, 17.4.3.2, and 17.4.3.3.1 (Clarification that an on-site visit is not required when only technical review services are being provided and to allow a technical leader to accept an on-site visit conducted by a qualified analyst from an NDIS participating laboratory or designated FBI personnel)
Standard 17.6 and 17.7(NEW)
Standard 17.7.1 (clarification of technical review elements)
Standard 17.7.2 (reference to “an” NDIS participating laboratory)