All;
ASCLD has proven itself too deeply in bed with the labs it accredits for way too long, as I've been saying for many years now. This really shines a bright light on the role it pretends to play.
Brent E. Turvey, MS - Forensic Science
Forensic Solutions, LLC
bturvey@forensic-science.com
http://www.forensic-science.com
Author of:
Petherick, W. & Turvey, B. (2009) Forensic Victimology, San Diego: Elsevier Science
http://www.forensicvictimology.blogspot.com
Turvey, B. (2008) Criminal Profiling, 3rd Ed., Boston: Elsevier Science
http://www.corpus-delicti.com/fs_bookstore/cp/cp_index.html
Chisum, W.J. & Turvey B. (2006) Crime Reconstruction, Boston: Elsevier Science
http://crimereconstruction.blogspot.com
"... the intermixing of science and politics is a bad combination with a bad history. We must remember the history, and be certain that what we present to the world as knowledge is disinterested and honest."
- Crichton, M. (2004) State of Fear, New York: Harper-Collins Publisher; p.638
Sunday, Sep. 26, 2010
Some question NC lab accreditation group's ties
The Associated Press
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/26/1717294/some-question-nc-lab-accreditation.html
GARNER, N.C. -- The accrediting agency that missed significant problems at North Carolina's crime lab for years shares office space with a for-profit consulting firm that coaches labs on how to meet accreditation standards, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Sunday.
The state's crime lab has been reviewed by the nation's largest accreditation group for forensic labs since 1988, according to the newspaper.
A recent report said State Bureau of Investigation analysts failed to properly report lab results to courts during that period.
The American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board is based 40 miles south of Raleigh in a strip shopping mall where it shares an office with a for-profit consulting business that coaches labs on how to meet accreditation standards, the newspaper reported.
At the same address are a trade association for forensic lab directors and the chief national forensic science lobbying group that helps shape the future of the field.
"I think it's questionable that they have all these organizations that claim to be separate running out of what appears to be the same office," said Amy Driver, a forensic scientist in Washington, D.C., who has blogged about the issue.
Two leaders of the accreditation agency are retired SBI agents who had key management roles at the state lab at the time problems persisted.
Leaders of ASCLD say the interests of the consulting group and the accreditation group are separate and say they share office space as a convenience.
"They are not run out of this office," Ralph Keaton, who directs the accreditation agency, said of the consulting business.
Joseph Bono, contract manager for the consulting group, said his group is independent.
"The implication that the two are in any way affiliated in any other way than to better forensic science ... I don't agree with that implication," Bono said. "That's where the mail goes. That's it. There's no connection."
The consulting business was created three years ago by the trade association for forensic lab directors to help lab directors across the country meet new international standards.
Greg Matheson, who is president of the association, says any profits from the consulting business, which have not been much so far, would be returned to the association.
A spokeswoman for the SBI said the agency has not yet decided whether to hire consultants before its next accreditation.
Some legislators said earlier this month that the SBI should look for another group to do the accreditation review of the North Carolina lab.
Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com
Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/26/1717294/some-question-nc-lab-accreditation.html#ixzz10gGA76Tt
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