FDC FDC Quality Assurance & Accreditation 2

Question 1

What is an administrative review in forensic DNA casework?

Accepted Answer

A review for completeness, consistency, and clerical accuracy of the case record

Answer

Administrative review checks that documentation is complete, signatures are present, and the report is consistent with laboratory policies — it does not re-evaluate the scientific data.

Question 2

What must a laboratory do when a contamination event is confirmed in a forensic DNA case?

Accepted Answer

Investigate the source, document findings, take corrective action, and notify affected parties

Answer

When contamination is confirmed, the laboratory must conduct a root cause investigation, implement corrective action, and notify relevant parties such as the submitting agency.

Question 3

Which document defines the specific steps an analyst must follow to perform a DNA analysis procedure in a forensic lab?

Accepted Answer

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Answer

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides step-by-step instructions for performing laboratory procedures and must be approved and kept current.

Question 4

What is the purpose of an analytical threshold (AT) in STR interpretation?

Accepted Answer

To define the minimum peak height above which data is considered reliable for interpretation

Answer

The analytical threshold defines the minimum peak height (RFU) at which a signal is considered a true allele rather than instrument noise.

Question 5

During a laboratory audit, an auditor finds that an analyst deviated from the SOP without documentation. What is the typical consequence?

Accepted Answer

A corrective action is required and the deviation must be documented and evaluated

Answer

Undocumented SOP deviations require a corrective action report and an evaluation of whether the deviation affected case results.

(FDC) Forensic DNA Certification Practice Test

(FDC) Forensic DNA Certification Practice Test

FDC FDC Quality Assurance & Accreditation 2