Accredited Laboratory Status

Accreditation by ASCLD/LAB is recognized by the criminal justice system as a means of determining that a laboratory has met a set of internationally recognized standards of operation for forensic laboratories.  Once accreditation has been granted to a laboratory, it is expected that the laboratory will consistently remain in compliance with the standards under which it was accredited.  It is recognized that unforeseen circumstances may cause a laboratory to experience temporary non-compliance with some of the standards. 

Laboratories which are listed as accredited laboratories are in good standing with ASCLD/LAB and no sanctions are imposed upon the laboratories.

Labs with Sanctions

When it is recognized that a laboratory is experiencing or has experienced a period of non-compliance, actions must be taken by the laboratory to bring it back into compliance and to correct any potential miscarriages of justice.  Failure to take timely, appropriate and required corrective actions regarding non-compliance may result in any of the following sanctions by the ASCLD/LAB Board of Directors:

Probation is for a specified period of time during which the laboratory must comply with specified requirements and/or conditions.  While on probation, a laboratory remains accredited contingent upon satisfying the conditions of the probation within the specified time period.

Suspension is for a specified time during which the laboratory has must meet specific requirements and must demonstrate that the problem has been satisfactorily remedied.  A laboratory is not considered to be accredited during the period of suspension.  A laboratory may regain good standing as an accredited laboratory, if the laboratory satisfies the conditions of the suspension within the specified time period, without undergoing a complete re-inspection of the laboratory.

Revocation of accreditation is the most serious sanction.  A laboratory is no longer accredited following the revocation of accreditation.  In order to regain accreditation, a laboratory must begin the process from the beginning with the submission of a new application for accreditation and a complete inspection/assessment of the laboratory.