Forensic Services Accreditation

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) plans to use its FY 2017 Coverdell base allocation to support projects intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania and to assist Pennsylvania Forensic Science Services Providers (FSSPs) with obtaining and maintaining accreditation.

PCCD is proposing to utilize Coverdell formula-based funds to: Increase the number of FSSPs who participate, complete, and maintain accreditation according to the requirements set forth by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB), ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), or other appropriate accrediting bodies.

PCCD intends to issue a competitive solicitation using Coverdell formula base funds targeting Pennsylvania based FSSPs who are actively seeking or maintaining accreditation. PCCD is committed to identify and execute the latest techniques within forensic science. PCCD has supported FSSP accreditation using Coverdell base funds for the last two funding cycles (FY 2015 and FY 2016). Most importantly, this strategy aligns with FY 2017 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program which emphasizes the critical objective for FSSPs to not only pursue, but achieve accreditation.

nca/ncf