The Maastricht Forensic Institute (TMFI) aims to uphold the quality of forensic investigation and its availability. In order to prove this in practice too, some time ago the various organizations that work together within TMFI launched a process that would lead to the achievement of accreditation in the field of forensic investigation.
It is crucially important that the chain of custody is safeguarded, in other words that every action (receipt, transfer, registration, labeling/numbering, safekeeping and storage, analysis and transportation) that is carried out with the investigation materials has been described and is recorded during the investigation. This reduces the risk of loss, damage (degradation), mixing up and contamination of trace materials to a minimum.
DSM Resolve - where, in particular, TMFI’s chemical - and material testing is carried out - has succeeded in this. A number of activities has now been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 in the field of toxicology, drugs, fibers and glass. DSM Resolve therefore currently possesses the full accreditation that is necessary in order to carry out high-quality state-of-the-art investigation in a forensic setting. The confidence and assurance in the quality of our services have now been confirmed and recognized by the Dutch Accreditation Council. This accreditation of DSM Resolve’s activities can be viewed under no. L506 on the website of the Dutch Accreditation Council.
DNalysis Maastricht, TMFI’s DNA laboratory, is aiming to achieve the statutory accreditation for forensic DNA testing in October of this year.
