Announcements

A Public Comment Period Opportunity – Traceability and Measurement Uncertainty Policies
January 12, 2012 through March 12, 2012

ASCLD/LAB Measurement Traceability Policy - Public Comment
ASCLD/LAB Measurement Uncertainty Policy - Public Comment

Over the past year or so, ASCLD/LAB has invested time and resources in developing updated Traceability and Measurement Uncertainty policy documents.  We relied on the input of ASCLD/LAB staff members, practicing forensic scientists in various disciplines, and experts in the science of measurements (metrologists) from both government and the private sector.  In addition to developing policies, ASCLD/LAB has developed a series of guidance documents.  Having policies to address these subjects, as well as other operational issues, is an important part of our ISO-based accreditation programs.   Customers of ASCLD/LAB should know that the current traceability and measurement uncertainty policies are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2012.  

Since making the policies public, ASCLD/LAB has invested additional time and resources in developing even more guidance documents to assist the forensic science community with better understanding and applying the concepts of traceability and measurement uncertainty.  ASCLD/LAB staff continues to work directly with selected scientific working groups (SWG) to develop discipline-specific guidance documents, and to increase the forensic science community’s application and understanding of these topics.

While ASCLD/LAB continues to focus on this project, we are aware that some customers have expressed concerns about elements of the policies scheduled to become effective later this year.   Since the policies are not yet effective, the ASCLD/LAB Board of Directors and top management of ASCLD/LAB believe that offering all customers and interested parties the opportunity to comment on the policies would be a positive step forward in this project.  For that reason, a public comment period will commence today (January 12, 2012) and run for 60 calendar days (through March 12, 2012).   Following the public comment period, a committee appointed by the Chair of the ASCLD/LAB Board will consider all comments.  Opportunities for improving the ASCLD/LAB policies will be acted upon accordingly.

Constructive comments must be submitted in a manner which clearly identifies the specific line number(s) of the policy – stating a specific concern, and including a suggested change to effectively address the concern.  General comments and concerns without suggestions for addressing the concern will be of little or no value, so please refrain from those submissions.  The author of the comment(s) must be clearly identified and contact information must also be clear so as to allow the ASCLD/LAB committee to contact the submitter in the event that clarification is needed.  For this public comment effort, line numbered policies are included with this announcement.

Customers of ASCLD/LAB are and have always been leaders in the forensic science community.  ASCLD/LAB has the responsibility to provide our progressive customers with the best, most meaningful and most defensible policies possible.  While comparing the policies of accrediting bodies may result in an interesting discussion, it is not the goal of ASCLD/LAB to simply mirror other entities.  Just like our customers, as forward-thinking leaders in the forensic science community, our goal is to publish the best possible policies to serve the needs of forensic science.  Please take advantage of this public comment period to help us achieve that common goal.

Please submit all comments to policycomments@ascld-lab.org.  Contact the ASCLD/LAB headquarters office at 919-773-2600 should you have any questions about submitting comments.

Best Regards,

Ralph M. Keaton
Executive Director

Note: ASCLD/LAB “Guidance documents” related to these policies are non-binding discussions, examples, and general information. We are not formally soliciting comments on guidance documents but, if you have any comments you would like to share about ASCLD/LAB guidance documents, please feel free to do so in a way that makes it clear on which guidance document you are commenting.

Posted on January 12, 2012