Forensic DNA Section Quality Manual
Arkansas State Crime Laboratory
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This document consists of definitions, policies and procedures intended to satisfy the quality assurance measures and specific requirements placed on the Forensic DNA Section of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (Forensic DNA) by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Quality Manual, the FBI Director’s Quality Assurance Standards, and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which is based on the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and the 2017 ANAB ISO/IEC 17025:2017 —Forensic Science Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation Requirements (AR 3125).
Forensic DNA Testing is to be understood to begin at sample extraction or direct amplification; therefore, at a minimum all actions taken by ASCL personnel concerning DNA Testing will be subject to the guidelines contained in this Forensic DNA Section Quality Manual (or the CODIS Section Quality Manual, as appropriate) until the completion of DNA testing activities and the documented transfer of associated evidence. Elements of the quality assurance program outlined in this manual may apply to steps which extend beyond the initiation or conclusion of DNA testing activities. Unless specifically noted, all DNA Casework activities will also be subject to the policies of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Quality Manual.