June 28, 2013
GBI Southwestern Regional Lab Receives International Accreditation for Forensic DNA Analysis
Decatur, GA. – The Southwestern Regional Crime Lab received ASCLD/LAB-International accreditation for DNA testing from the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) on June 27, 2013. This accreditation documents that the laboratory meets internationally recognized quality standards for testing laboratories. Staffed with three chemistry scientists, three biology scientists, three laboratory technicians, and one manager, the Southwestern Regional Lab located in Moultrie is also accredited to the ASCLD/LAB-International standard in drug chemistry and serology analysis. In addition to performing serology analysis, the three biology scientists will now be doing DNA case work. It is anticipated the Southwestern Regional Lab will conduct DNA analysis on 200 to 250 cases annually. Adding DNA analysis capability to this laboratory will help improve turnaround time and reduce backlogs of DNA testing on cases submitted by law enforcement agencies in 27 counties in southwest Georgia.
The GBI Crime Lab consists of the headquarters lab and six regional labs which provide forensic analysis to the criminal justice system in Georgia. Each of the GBI Crime Laboratories is accredited by the ASCLD/LAB-International program for the forensic analyses conducted in that facility.
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