Accreditation

Forensic Quality Services International (FQS-I) is the name used by Forensic Quality Services, Inc., to identify its accreditation services.

In response to requests from forensic testing laboratories seeking to demonstrate their conformity with the international standards, FQS developed a program of accreditation based on the requirements of ISO Guide 25. It accredited its first laboratory using this program in 1999, making it the longest-established provider of such accreditation for forensic science in the United States. FQS also displayed its commitment by being the first provider of forensic science accreditations in the US to successfully complete an external evaluation for conformity to ISO/IEC 17011(2004): “Conformity assessment — General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies”.

We are pleased to announce that FQS is recognized by the NDIS Procedures Board as meeting the requirements to accredit laboratories participating in NDIS or seeking to participate in NDIS, and has been recognized since 2004 as complying with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011:2005.

FQS accreditation services to forensic service providers are provided in conformity with relevant national and international standards. Currently the standards that are the basis of our accreditation programs are: ISO/IEC 17025:2005; ILAC Guide 19:2002; and The National QA Standards for DNA Testing.

FQS provides its accreditation services in a manner that ensures impartiality and objectivity. Assessment procedures and decisions on accreditation are conducted according to policies and procedures designed to ensure that FQS and personnel involved in its accreditation activities are impartial, thereby giving stakeholders confidence in their activities and their outcomes.

FQS’s accredited laboratories include: Crime laboratories, Forensic environmental testing, Police Sciences, Animal dope testing for equine and canine racing, Crime scene examination, and DNA testing.