Forensic laboratories closer to achieving European accreditation

Within the framework of the forensic laboratory analysis project being carried out in Turkey, a virtual activity on “Forensic Biology Proficiency Testing and DNA Genetic Analysis” has been organised. The objective of the activity, as part of the project Twinning funded by the European Union, it is to expand the analytical capabilities of Turkish forensic specialists and the skills of the institutions involved in the work by introducing and implementing new methods and techniques in line with European Union practices.

Laboratory participation in proficiency testing is essential to be able to obtain accreditation according to European regulations that establish the requirements that testing and calibration laboratories must meet (ISO/IEC 17025). This accreditation increases the reliability of forensic laboratories’ results and their international recognition and acceptance, which allows them to exchange results with accredited laboratories in other countries. It is an additional guarantee of the laboratory’s qualification to carry out the tests and a tool to compare its results with those of other laboratories in the same field. This accreditation is, in itself, one of the quality standards required for entries of genetic profiles in police databases.

The aptitude tests enable the laboratories’ work to be assessed against previously established criteria. In this way, the laboratory can identify possible deviations and make improvements. In order to achieve these improvements in the Eurasian country’s forensic laboratories, staff from the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences of Madrid supported the Criminal Division of the Turkish Gendarmerie in adapting to European Union practices.