Forensic Services Accreditation and Certification

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) plans to use its FY 2018 Coverdell base allocation to support projects including a target goal of at least 35% for opioid related activities intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania and to assist Pennsylvania Forensic Science Services Providers (FSSPs) with obtaining and/or maintaining accreditation and/or certification in a forensic science discipline.

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. These FFSPs are also eligible to apply for funding to support the certification or recertification of lab personnel in a forensic science discipline.

PCCD is committed to identifying and executing the latest techniques within forensic science. PCCD has supported FSSP accreditation using Coverdell base funds for the last three funding cycles (FY 2015, FY 2016, and FY 2017). Most importantly, this strategy aligns with FY 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program which emphasizes the critical objective for FSSPs to not only pursue, but achieve accreditation.

nca/ncf