A brief introduction to our Proficiency Tests
Background and test design
Proficiencytesting@forensicfoundations
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests are designed to address the following issues:
- Relevance to forensic science laboratories;
- Limitation of any potential context information;
- Knowledge of the ‘ground truth’ of the samples; and
- Cost affordability for the laboratories.
ISO17025:2017 identifies risk management as an integral component of any scientific testing. Forensic Foundations has adopted this approach and have designed their Proficiency Tests to address risks, where possible, at all stages of the forensic process. The table in Appendix A outlines some of the risks associated with each stage of the forensic process.
Forensic Foundations has also adopted the framework embodied in the AS 5388 ‘Forensic Analysis’ and the ISO 21043 ‘Forensic Sciences’ series of Standards. These Standards describe the forensic examination process from collection to reporting. Thus, all Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests commence with item collection and/or receipt and all the subsequent examination / analysis steps, culminating in the reporting, thus reflecting actual forensic casework.
Forensic Foundations is accredited to ISO17043 ‘Conformity Assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing’ and currently forensic biology, chemical criminalistics and forensic document examination are covered by the scope of accreditation.
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests comply with the requirements of:
- ISO17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories,
- NATA General Accreditation Criteria Proficiency Testing Policy (2018)
- NATA Specific Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17025 Application Document, Legal (including Forensic Science) – Appendix (2018)
- ANAB ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Forensic Science Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation Requirements (2019)
- ANAB Accreditation Manual for Forensic Service Providers (2019)
- Guidance on the Conduct of Proficiency Tests and Collaborative Exercises Within ENSFI (2014)
In addition to offering a program of proficiency tests, Forensic Foundation also offers a number of inter-laboratory collaborative trial. These trials are offered where the test is still in the development phase and/or the tests is niche and/or the field of study is not currently covered by our scope of accreditation.
The Final Reports Forensic Foundations Proficiency Tests will be publicly available via the Forensic Foundations web site however individual laboratory results will remain confidential. Participating laboratories may use the report as outlined in their respective laboratory policies.
2021-1 Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -1
Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -1
A summary of the Scenario:
A female complainant has been sexual assaulted.
Participants will be provided with the complainant’s, medical samples and reference sample.
Reference samples will also be provided from the suspects
Last order dates: February 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-2 Forensic Biology – Biology/ Crime Scene Examination -BPA
Biology/ Crime Scene Examination -BPA
A summary of the Scenario:
An altercation has occurred with one person being hospitalized. There are a number of conflicting accounts of the events.
Participants will be provided with the scenarios and detailed high-resolution photographs of the scene, with and without scales.
Last order dates: March 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-3 Fingerprint detection, enhancement and identification
Fingerprint detection, enhancement and identification
A summary of the Scenario:
Confidential documents have been removed from locked storage. The documents were later recovered, and fingerprint examination is required to determine if the identity of the person(s) handling the documents can be determined
Last order dates: April 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-4 Chemical Criminalistics – Fibres
Chemical Criminalistics – Fibres
A summary of the Scenario:
A break in and robbery occurred at a private home. Access was gained by breaking a window
Clothing from a number of suspects has been seized.
Participants will be provided with samples of fabric collected from the broken glass and samples of the suspects’ clothing.
Last order dates: May 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-5 Document Examination
Document Examination
A summary of the Scenario:
A family is disputing the will of a deceased elderly relative. The will indicates that a carer is the major beneficiary. The family does not believe this is consistent with the wishes of their relative.
Participants will be provided with a number of high-quality images of the will and signatures to examine.
Last order dates: June 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-6 Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -2
Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -2
A summary of the Scenario:
The complainant had been allegedly kidnapped, driven to an unknown location and assaulted by an unknown number of assailants.
Participants will be provided with the clothing of the complainant and the 3 suspects, together with swabs of potential touch points in the car.
Last order dates: June 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-7 Chemical Criminalistics - Glass
Chemical Criminalistics – Glass
A summary of the Scenario:
A car window has been broken and goods stolen from the car.
Participants will be provided with samples of the glass from the car and the debris collected from the suspects’ clothing.
Last order dates: August 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-8 Forensic Biology – Biological examination, BPA and DNA
Forensic Biology – Biological examination, BPA and DNA
A summary of the Scenario:
Following the assault described in 2021-2, the clothing of the two persons of interest have been collected.
Participants will be provided with this clothing.
Last order dates: August 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-9 Chemical Criminalistics – Automotive Paint
Chemical Criminalistics – Automotive Paint
A summary of the Scenario:
A fatal hit run occurred. Automotive paint flakes were recovered from the scene.
Participants will be provided with the paint flakes and samples collected from a number of suspect vehicles.
Last order dates: September 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
2021-10 Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -3
Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -3
A summary of the Scenario:
A female complainant has been sexual assaulted.
Participants will be provided with the complainant’s, clothing and reference sample.
Reference samples will also be provided from the suspects
Last order dates: December 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
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Photos: County Court of Victoria. Used with permission.
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