EPTIS & Proficiency

EPTIS

EPTIS (http://www.eptis.bam.de/en/index.htm) helps you find a suitable proficiency test (PT) for your laboratory. There are many PT schemes available worldwide (a scheme is a coherent series of single rounds). For every PT scheme we know of (and for which we have capacity) we have produced a data sheet and collected these sheets in the EPTIS database. You can search this database at no cost.

What is not included on the database is topical information on next PT rounds. When is the next round, and what is the matrix material this time? This information is too dynamic as to be included in the database. But you can find such details for a selection of schemes in the EPTIS calendar, a special list on our website.

Interested to learn more / any question, comment or suggestion? Please let us know at eptis@bam.de


Proficiency Testing

FQS-I’s proficiency test policy is shown in its policy document FRAP-2 available on request. Successful completion of proficiency testing is required and suitable external providers should be used wherever possible. A list of currently recognized PT providers is given below.

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Proficiency Testing Program for Forensic Equine Drug Testing
1130 Morrison Drive, Suite 100
Ottawa, Ontario K2H9N6
Phone: (613) 949-0744
Fax: (613) 949-1538
astevson@agr.gc.ca
Tests: Equine toxicology. See Standards Council of Canada (SCC) scope of accreditation for proficiency testing at http://palcan.scc.ca/specs/pdf/564_e.pdf

Collaborative Testing Services, Inc. (CTS)
21331 Gentry Drive
Sterling, VA 20166
Phone: (571) 434-1925
Fax: (571) 434-1937
info@cts-interlab.com
Tests: Controlled substances, crime scene (bloodstain pattern), serology, DNA, firearms, toolmarks, imprint/impression evidence, fibers, latent prints, paint, glass, flammables (fire debris), questioned documents, and toxicology (blood/alcohol).

College of American Pathologists (CAP)
325 Waukegan Rd
Northfield, IL 60093-2750
Phone: (800) 323-4040
Fax: (847) 832-8166
serdev@cap.org
Tests: DNA (DNA, DNAF, FID, and FIDM) and toxicology (AL1-alcohol whole blood and FTC-forensic toxicology criminalistics)

Creative Approaches to Teaching, Training & Testing, Inc. (CAT3)
11605 Deer Forest Road
Reston, VA 20194
Phone/Fax: (630) 545-1264
service@cat3.org
Tests: Crime Scene (Interactive CD)

Digital Forensics Quality Solutions
National Center for Forensic Science
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
Phone: 407 823-6469 (Carrie Whitcomb)
Fax: 407-823-3162
www.dfqs.org
Tests: Computer forensics

Environmental Resource Associates (ERA)
6000 W. 54th Avenue
Arvada, Colorado 80002
Phone: 1-800-372-0122
http://www.eraqc.com/
Tests: Water pollution, water supply, soil/hazardous waste, underground storage tank, microbiology, radiochemistry. All studies comply with all applicable USEPA, NELAC, A2LA, NIST/NVLAP and state specific requirements.

Forensic Identity Program
David Axelrod Institute
Wadsworth Center
NYS Department of Health
PO BOX 22002
Albany, NY 12201-2002
Phone: (518) 473-8173
Fax: (518) 474-1627
forensicid@health.state.ny.us
Tests: DNA (autosomal STR, Y STR and mitochondrial DNA) and biological fluid screening

Forensic Testing Services
1099 W. Grand River Avenue
P.O. Box 514
Williamston , MI 48895
Phone (517)202-5971
Fax (517)579-4847
www.forensic-testing.net
Tests: Explosives, GSR, microscopic hair examination, tape, bulb examination for on/off, and chemical unknowns

National Institute of Forensic Science
2 Research Avenue, Suite 1, R & D Park Centre Suite 1
Bundoora, Victoria, 3083 Australia
Phone: +61 3 9459 4299
Fax: +61 3 9457 3622
atf@nifs.com.au
Tests: Crime Scene (Interactive CD)

Orchid Cellmark
5698 Springboro Pike
Dayton, OH 45449
Phone: (800) 443-2383
Fax: (301) 428-4877
clientservices@orchid.com
Tests: DNA and serology

Serological Research Institute
3053 Research Drive
Richmond, CA 94806
Phone: (510) 223-7374
Fax: (510) 222-8887
serimain@serological.com
Tests: DNA, serology