Programs of Accreditation

ASCLD/LAB offers Accreditation under three (3) voluntary programs in which any crime laboratory may participate to demonstrate that its management, personnel, quality system, operational and technical procedures, equipment and physical facilities meet established standards.

ASCLD/LAB began accrediting crime laboratories in 1982.  Since that time, the standards and requirements for accreditation have evolved through numerous versions of the accreditation manual.  The evolution of standards and accreditation requirements has been very methodical and has been accomplished with approval of the Delegate Assembly.  Every change in the program has been consistent with the stated objectives and mission of the accreditation program and has been the result of a recognized need to enhance the effectiveness of the program in achieving its stated objectives.

In April 2004, ASCLD/LAB embarked upon a dual-track accreditation program which allowed a laboratory to opt for accreditation under the longstanding program which was designated as the ASCLD/LAB Legacy Accreditation Program or to seek accreditation under a new program named the ASCLD/LAB-International Accreditation Program that is based upon ISO 17025 standards and supplemented by forensic specific requirements taken from the ASCLD/LAB Legacy Program.  The option to seek accreditation under either program continued for five years.  Effective April 1, 2009, ASCLD/LAB no longer accepts new applications for accreditation under the ASCLD/LAB Legacy Program.  

Although ASCLD/LAB will no longer accept new applications for accreditation under the Legacy Program, full support and program compliance monitoring will be given to those laboratories accredited under the program.  ASCLD/LAB will accept applications to add new accredited disciplines under the Legacy Program for those laboratories that are accredited under the program.

On May 18, 2008, ASCLD/LAB introduced a new accreditation program for breath alcohol calibration laboratories called the ASCLD/LAB-International Calibration Accreditation Program.  This program is based upon ISO 17025 standards supplemented by forensic specific standards for breath alcohol programs.   

Information about each of the accreditation programs is available under the respective tabs for the programs.