Summary of New QAS Revisions Effective 9-1-2011

The FBI Director has issued revisions to the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing 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) has drafted conforming revisions to the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories and the QAS Audit Documents.

All revisions will take effect September 1, 2011.

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

Effective Date:

• September 1, 2011

Definitions:

• Analyst (addition of words ‘or contract employee’)
• Contract Employee (NEW)
• Laboratory Support Personnel (addition of words ‘or contract employees’)
• On-Site Visit (additional detail on who can perform on-site visit)
• Technical Reviewer (addition of words ‘or contract employee’)
• Technician (addition of words ‘or contract employee’)

Standards:

• 5.2.3.2.7 (NEW)
• 5.4 (addition of words ‘or contract employee’)
• 5.5, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3 (NEW)
• 9.5.2 (clarifies that amplification concurrently in the same instrument)
• 15.1, 15.2 (adds qualifications of audit team)
• 17.3 (deleted words ‘or search in’)
• 17.5 (NEW)
• 17.6 (deleted words ‘or search in’ and added “or reporting of search results’)
• 17, 17.7.1.1 and 17.7.2.1  (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 designated FBI personnel)