FORENSIC LABORATORY DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT: INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES BY AGWEYE, BENEDICT HEAD OF FORENSICS, EFCC

Transcription

1 FORENSIC LABORATORY DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT: INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES BY AGWEYE, BENEDICT HEAD OF FORENSICS, EFCC

2 DISCLAIMER THIS PAPER IS NOT A LEGAL ADVISE OR OPINION IT DOES NOT SPEAK FOR OR REPRESENT ANYBODY THE CONTENT IS ONLY THE IDEA AND OPINION OF THE PRESENTER

3 Today s Presentations Forensics Discussion Why are International Standards Needed for Forensics Overview of International Standards ISO Management Requirement Quality System Technical Requirement Personnel Requirement Validated Methods Instrumentation Evidence Integrity Environmental Conditions Documentation and Reporting Questions and Discussions

4 FORENSICS DISCUSSION DEFINITION Application of science to law Evidence is examined to determine if it has probative value in a legal matter DEFINITION CONTD. Benchmark in Int l best practice in justice delivery due to its accuracy, reliability, consistency and universal acceptance DEFINITION CONTD. Preserving evidence integrity Chain of Custody Proper methods for examination Following best practices under international standards

5 FORENSICS DISCUSSION CONTD. LEA based practice, FMH, Private, etc Mention in S.57 of the Evidence Act, 2011 No accredited Laboratory/ programme in any of the tertiary institutions Over 170million Nigerians with no access to real justice Practice standards vary from one person to another

6 FORENSICS LAB DISCUSSION CONTD.

7 Why Are International Standards Needed for Forensics? We live in a global economy Crime transcends international borders International cooperation between law enforcement is needed to be effective International forensic standards establish a baseline for competent examination of evidence and results

8 International Standards For Forensic Laboratories ISO 17025:2005 International Organization for Standardization Requirements for the competency of testing [and calibration] laboratories Guide 19:2002 International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Guidelines for Forensic Science Laboratories Philosophy: Test Once-Accept Everywhere Reliable and measureable results

9 ISO 17025:2005 Defines General Requirements 1. Management Requirements Laboratory s procedures for administration and operations 2. Technical Requirements Laboratory s procedures for providing competent technical services

10 ISO MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS Laboratory is a legal entity Mission and Goals Quality Assurance Programme Records Management and Information Security Internal reviews and corrective actions Meeting Management/ Stakeholder Expectations

11 Quality System Overall Purpose: Continuous Improvement Management Review Strategic Planning Improvement Quality Management System Development ACT PLAN CHECK DO Audit Evaluate Corrective Action Preventive Action Quality Management System Implementation

12 Management Requirements Contd. Mgt. Competence Integrity Quality Efficiency Productivity Meeting Organizational Expectations Health & Safety Security Management Info. System Employer/ Management

13 Management Requirements Contd. Qualifications Training Maintaining Employee Competence Staff Development Environment Communication Supervision Fiscal Employee

14 Management Requirements Contd. Conflict of Interest Response to Public Needs Professional Staffing Recommendations & References Legal Compliance Fiscal Responsibility Accountability Disclosure & Discovery Work Quality Public

15 Management Requirements Contd. Accreditation Peer Certification Peer Organization Research Ethics Profession

16 Management Requirements Contd. Qualifications Training Maintaining Employee Competence Staff Development Environment Communication Supervision Fiscal Employee

17 ISO Technical Requirements Personnel (Examiner) Competency Documenting Procedures & Reporting Tested and Validated Methods Proper Environment for Evidence Examination Proper Equipment & Properly Maintained Evidence Integrity & Proper Handling

18 Personnel Competency Education Experience Technical Training Continuing Education Competency Testing Courtroom/Testimony Training Proficiency Testing

19 Validated Methods Hardware/ Equipment Validated by Scientific/ L.E. Community Software/ Reagents

20 Equipment Performance verification before being placed in service Calibration Performance verification periodically - Manufacturers recommendation - Volume of Use - Post Repair or Maintenance Update

21 Evidence Integrity Chain of custody documented Protection while processing evidence Physical access controlled Cross-contamination prevention Treat derivative evidence as original evidence

22 Environmental Conditions Design Security Temperature Humidity

23 Documentation and Reporting Technical notes detail forensic procedures sufficiently to reproduce the examination Standardized report content and format Purpose is to establish minimum standard for documentation and reporting to be accepted in the international community

24 Summary International Forensic Standards establish: Baseline for quality laboratory operations Baseline for reliable and repeatable results Laboratories that operate in conformance with international standards can provide results that are Reliable Support law enforcement investigations Support global cooperation and acceptance of results

25 Thank you for listening Agweye, Ben Head of Forensics EFCC Forensic Science Unit