The
FBI DNA Laboratory Report : A Review of Protocol
and Practice Vulnerabilities
Today,
the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a
report entitled: The FBI DNA Laboratory: A Review
of Protocol and Practice Vulnerabilities. This report
is a comprehensive assessment of the misconduct
of former DNA technician Jacqueline M. Blake as
well as a review of the FBI DNA Laboratory's protocols
and practices. The significance of the OIG's report
cannot be overstated in that it identified potential
vulnerabilities which will create opportunities
for improvement.
In April of 2002 the FBI Laboratory detected discrepancies,
within Blake's analysis, regarding the proper use
of negative controls for DNA testing. After an expeditious
and thorough review of all active casework within
the Unit, it was confirmed that the discrepancies
were limited exclusively to Blake's work product.
The FBI Laboratory immediately developed and implemented
corrective measures to address Blake's actions and
subsequently self reported Blake's misconduct to
the OIG through the FBI's Office of Professional
Responsibility.
The FBI Laboratory has been accredited by the American
Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory
Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) since 1998. A purpose
of laboratory accreditation is to attain a higher
level of quality operations that is reflected within
the laboratory services provided to the criminal
justice community. The report released today has
taken yet another step in that direction by enabling
the FBI Laboratory to incorporate additional improvements
to the operation of the DNA Laboratory. A few of
the more significant improvements include:
· Incorporation of the corrective measures
instituted to address Blake's misconduct within
DNA I operational procedures and manuals.
· Incorporation of suggestions offered by
the OIG to improve the clarity and augment the detail
in selected manuals and operational protocols.
· Enhance the current DNA training program
to further capture the institutional knowledge of
senior examiners and reflect advancements in emerging
DNA technologies.
· Acquisition of a Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS) within the FBI Laboratory.
Implementation of LIMS will provide managers, evidence
control personnel, examiners, and technicians the
tools necessary to electronically track evidence,
provide chain of custody logs, and produce final
reports.
· Establishment of a Process Map of all DNA
Unit 1 operations. Through external facilitation
and extensive internal staff participation, a more
uniform operational plan for evidence processing
was developed. This included work-flow diagrams
and decision trees, in an effort to assist examination
teams with analytical processing decisions and potentially
increase both the efficiency and effectiveness of
operations.
The FBI Laboratory also implemented significant
operational improvements and is benefited by its
relocation to a state-of-the-art forensic science
laboratory. The facility encompasses nearly 500,000
square feet, houses 25 specialized units, and contains
the most contemporary instrumentation available
to support the FBI Laboratory's critical mission.
The FBI Laboratory recognizes the benefits of obtaining
outside scrutiny and review as represented by this
OIG report. This report is yet another example of
the laboratory's commitment to support and participate
in various external endeavors. This includes the
National Academy of Sciences report on Bullet Lead
Analysis which was commissioned by the FBI Laboratory,
the administration of Scientific Working Groups,
partnerships with state and local agencies for technology
advancements, participation in annual external DNA
audits, externally provided proficiency tests as
well as continued accreditation through ASCLD/LAB.
Additionally, the FBI Laboratory has worked closely
with ASCLD/LAB toward raising the existing national
accreditation program to an international level.
The FBI Laboratory is committed to the continual
process of self-improvement through input obtained
both internally and externally. It is only through
this process that the FBI Laboratory can remain
a leader in forensic science services. The FBI Laboratory
appreciates the considerable efforts extended by
the OIG and its external scientists which have significantly
contributed to this process.
See http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/igwhnew1.htm for a
copy of the report.