| Criterion |
Interpretation or Clarification |
Date Posted |
| 1.1.2.3 |
If the laboratory intends to use test-fired ammunition as evidence for future comparisons, the laboratory must treat the test-fires as evidence from the beginning. Test-fired ammunition, which is treated as reference material by the laboratory, can not routinely be re-designated as evidence at a future time. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.1.2.7 |
Laboratory procedures must specify acceptable parameters of operation or allowable variances from the target value for equipment and instruments which require calibration. Where applicable, laboratory procedures on calibration must include the acceptable range of operation. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.1.2 |
When multiple items or sub-items of evidence are contained within a properly sealed and properly marked container, it is not always required that each item or sub-item be marked with a unique identifier. As an example: If a properly marked and sealed container contains multiple similar packets of white powder and the analyst conducts an analysis on the contents of a portion of the packets, each packet which had its content analyzed must be marked with a unique identifier. As long as the analyst properly documents the existence of the remaining packets and the outer container is properly resealed, it is not required that the unexamined packets be marked with a unique identifier. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.1.3 |
There are times and situations in which ESDA lifts are made from evidence which cannot be preserved for reproduction because of the nature of the evidence or because of additional testing of the evidence. Under such circumstances, positive ESDA lifts must be treated as evidence. Laboratories, which use ESDA methodology, must define in their procedures when ESDA lifts must be treated as evidence. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.1.5 |
Floor to ceiling walls are not required for an evidence storage area if the storage area is monitored by a security system such as a motion detector or by a continuously monitored video system. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.1.6 |
If the laboratory intends to use test-fired ammunition as evidence for future comparisons, the laboratory must treat the test-fires as evidence from the beginning. Test-fired ammunition, which is treated as reference material by the laboratory, can not routinely be re-designated as evidence at a future time. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.5 |
Results obtained from non-specific tests must not be reported as unqualified confirmative results. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.8 |
When thin-layer chromatography is used exclusively as a screening test, blanks are not required. However, if the thin-layer testing is used as a part of the confirmation testing, a negative control is necessary. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.12 |
When using an AFIS terminal or other instruments and equipment at a location external to the accredited laboratory, the user must ensure and document that the terminal and or equipment is in proper working order. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.14 |
Audio recordings made at crime scenes, as a part of the documentation of observations, must be treated as field notes and be maintained (in addition to transcription) as examination documentation. |
11/7/2007 |
1.4.2.14
continued |
All "meaningful" data generated in the examination of evidence must be maintained as a part of a case record. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.15 |
If electronically recorded examination documentation is printed, the unique identifier for that case must be on each page of the printed documentation; but if the documentation is maintained in electronic form only, the unique identifier must appear visibly on the screen related to the document. |
11/7/2007 |
1.4.2.15
continued |
When a CD is used to store examination documentation, the removable media, or its proximal container, which is used to store examination documentation must be marked with a unique identifier. The initials of the preparer(s) of the examination documentation must be recorded on the media or proximal container unless the electronic equivalent is recorded on the media. |
11/7/2007 |
1.4.2.15
continued |
When an analyst's initials have been recorded in a photograph, the analyst is not required to re-initial the photograph that already shows the analyst's initials. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.16 |
Sufficiency of Latent Prints Examination Documentation
In every discipline accredited by ASCLD/LAB, examination documentation must be sufficiently detailed that another competent examiner or supervisor can evaluate what was done and interpret the data. Sufficiently detailed includes being able to determine what test(s) were conducted and the result of each test.
In the 2008 ASCLD/LAB Legacy discussion following 1.4.2.16 additional information about Latent Print examination documentation is provided. Some inspectors and laboratories have misinterpreted the following language to mean that recording the result for each test conducted in the Latent Print discipline is not required:
In the latent print discipline, the examination documentation should include each examination activity conducted, the sequence of those activities and the results of the activities. The activities can include the development techniques applied, controls or reagent checks used in development techniques, photography/digital imaging used, any automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) searches conducted, known exemplar capture and/or retrieval, comparisons conducted and conclusions reached.
This language should be interpreted to mean that recording the result for each test conducted in the Latent Print discipline is a requirement. Recording the result of each test conducted in any forensic science discipline is required to produce sufficiently detailed examination documentation. This is not a unique requirement for the Latent Print discipline; it is applicable to all forensic science disciplines.
Each laboratory may determine the best way to record the results of each test, but some indication of each test result must be recorded in the examination documentation. |
3/17/2009 |
| 1.4.2.17 |
Discussion included in the ASCLD/LAB Legacy Manual following criterion 1.4.2.17 reads “Laboratories which maintain examination documentation in an electronic form must have procedures which provide for equivalent tracking of changes to the documentation, once the documentation has been stored.”
There have been differences of interpretation concerning the meaning of when examination documentation , which is prepared in an electronic form, is stored. In its most recent discussion, the Board made the following decision which supersedes previous decisions and interpretations for this requirement.
“Laboratories using electronically-recorded examination documentation will have a policy declaring when such examination documentation is completed. This completion date must be prior to case review. At the time the laboratory considers the examination documentation completed, it will be considered as “stored,” and any changes made after that time must be tracked, either electronically or on a hard copy of the examination documentation.” |
2/21/2008 |
| 1.4.2.19 |
(See fourth paragraph of discussion following 1.4.2.19) The reason no definitive conclusions can be reached may be clearly stated in the report or the case record. |
11/7/2007 |
| 1.4.2.19 continued |
Reporting negative database searches
If a sample (e.g. latent print, test fire or DNA profile) is searched as a one-time event, then a report must be generated clearly stating the results of the search. A "one-time" event means that the sample will not be retained in the database and automatically searched against the database on some routine basis.
If a sample is entered into a database(s) and is repeatedly searched with negative results, a report is not required for each search. However, the first time the sample is entered into the database a report (which may be in the form of a simplified notification) must be generated which clearly informs the customer that the sample was entered into the database. Anytime a positive association is made a report or follow-up report must be generated. |
3/17/2009 |
| 1.4.3.3 |
Hair analysis can be treated as a sub-discipline of Biology for proficiency testing purposes when hair analysis is not being performed by trace evidence personnel. |
11/7/2007 |
| 2.5.6 and 2.9.5 |
Where does DNA analysis begin?
For the purposes of determining who must participate in DNA proficiency tests, the ASCLD/LAB Board has determined that DNA analysis begins with the extraction of DNA from cellular material.> |
3/17/2009 |
| 2.6.1 |
Math will qualify as a science course for the purpose of satisfying the educational requirements for science courses. |
11/7/2007 |
| 2.7.1 |
Math will qualify as a science course for the purpose of satisfying the educational requirements for science courses. |
11/7/2007 |
| 2.8.1 |
Math will qualify as a science course for the purpose of satisfying the educational requirements for science courses. |
11/7/2007 |
| 2.11.1 |
Math will qualify as a science course for the purpose of satisfying the educational requirements for science courses. |
11/7/2007 |
