Being a criminalist requires a strong basis in natural sciences along with emphasis on topics specific to forensic sciences and criminal justice. Before dealing with casework, a criminalist must be fully trained, i.e., have strong educational background followed by an induction (or initial) training. A few organizations have defined minimum criteria regarding these basic educational and training requirements. A criminalist must also be up‐to‐date with evolving science, and thus requires continuous training and education. This can be achieved through the reading of scientific literature, attendance at courses and conferences, and practical experience. Professional certification of forensic scientists is common in the United Kingdom and the United States; however, it is quite inexistent in most countries around the world. Certification demonstrates the competency of a criminalist. To create a certification program, it is necessary to clearly define the minimum criteria of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) that a criminalist must demonstrate. A mean of testing the KSA must also be devised and the certification must gain acceptance among the forensic and legal community. Certification is usually obtained through three main steps: admission and evaluation of the candidate and renewal of the certificate. Finally, some of the most important certification programs are presented.
Over the years, the topic of crime laboratory accreditation has gained wide acceptance in the forensic community. Accreditation is a process through which an organization becomes formally recognized to perform specific services. The laboratory seeking accreditation has to establish a structure with aims/goals, a management system, and technical facilities. All of this information is then documented in a laboratory internal quality manual. To date, there are two main accreditation norms through which forensic laboratories are accredited around the world: The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board Legacy program and the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission standard 17025 designed for testing and calibration laboratories. The accreditation of a laboratory is conducted by a national institution that is duly authorized. The accreditation process is composed of three stages. First, the organization prepares for accreditation, then obtains it, and finally maintains it. The exact process then varies based on the accrediting body. However, the organization must undergo a thorough assessment conducted by a team of experts. During this assessment, the laboratory procedures and facilities are reviewed and checked against written protocols to determine compliance and noncompliance. Crime laboratory accreditation presents several advantages and drawbacks, and it is one part of creating and maintaining a comprehensive quality system.
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