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Choosing a Laboratory
Education and experience are combined at Armstrong Forensic Laboratory to ensure your investigation receives the attention to detail and competent support necessary for success. Armstrong Forensic Laboratory is located in the center of the North Texas Metroplex and has been providing services for Forensic Investigations, Health and Safety, and Environmental Sampling and Support for more than 25 years. Armstrong has provided analytical data and consulting services for investigations litigated in Federal and International Courts for both Civil and Criminal Investigations.How to choose a lab? By asking some simple questions:
- Is the laboratory properly accredited by a legitimate accrediting body?
- Does the laboratory participate in externally monitored proficiency test rounds through a legitimate accrediting body?
- What is the education level of the analysts, supervisors and consultants?
- What is the experience level of the consultants? Ask for a Court History if you anticipate litigation.
- Can the laboratory provide audits from the AIHA, EPA, NELAC, TCEQ or FDA if it is proclaiming accreditation or acknowledgement by these bodies?
- Does your report supply a "Method of Analysis" that can be documented as an acceptable method for your analysis?
- Can your laboratory verify that they are licensed to do foreign soils, mold and/or drugs? When these services are provided without licensing it will preclude their use in court.
Fire Debris Analysis and Fire and Explosion Cause are regulated under ASTM International.
Mold inspections and analyses are regulated in the State of Texas and require specific licenses for laboratories and inspectors.
Asbestos & Environmental Lead are also regulated by the State of Texas.
Detailed Descriptions:
AAFS - American Association of Forensic Scientists.
A nonprofit professional society dedicated to the application of science to the law.
ABC - American Board of Criminalistics.
The ABC is composed of regional and national organizations which represent forensic scientists.
ABIH - American Board of Industrial Hygienists.
Accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards, the ABIH has provided the measure in excellence in certification for the industrial hygiene profession since 1960.
ACS - American Chemical Society.
The American Chemical Society is a self-governed, individual membership, organization that consists of more than 160,000 members at all degree levels and in all fields of chemistry.
AIHA - American Industrial Hygiene Association.
AIHA is an international association serving the needs of occupational and environmental health professionals practicing industrial hygiene in industry, government, labor, academic institutions and independent organizations.
ASCLD - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
The nonprofit professional society of crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers dedicated to promoting excellence in forensic science through leadership and innovation.
ASCLD/LAB - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board.
The governing organization for certification of laboratories engaged in testing for Criminal Courts.
ASTM International - ASTM International, formerly known as American Standards and Testing Material, is a voluntary standards development organization; a source for technical standards for materials, products, systems and services.
CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist.
Requires bachelor's degree, four years on-the-job training and passing a field proficiency test.
Civil Litigation - A cause has been initiated against an individual or group of individuals for civil damages.
CPC - Certified Professional Chemist.
Title given by the National Certification Commission for Chemists and Chemical Engineers, a subgroup of AIC, after documentation of an individual's education and experience.
Criminal Litigation - A cause has been brought against an individual or group of individuals by a Law Enforcement Agency.
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency.
The national regulatory organization for environmental issues.
LDEQ - Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
State governing agency for environmental issues.
LELAP - Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
Works with commercial environmental laboratories under LDEQ regulations to establish and maintain qualified testing procedures.
RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The Federal Office of Solid Waste (OSW) regulates all waste using the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
RS - Registered Sanitarian.
Certification of training in environmental sanitation, bestowed by individual States.
In Texas, granted through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
SW846 - The EPA publication SW-846.
Entitled 'Test methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods', is the office of Solid Wastes' official compendium of analytical and sampling methods that have been evaluated and approved for use in complying with the RCRA regulations.
TCEQ - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - The Texas regulatory agency for environmental issues.
Terms:
AAFS - American Association of Forensic Scientists.
ABC - American Board of Criminalistics.
ABIH - American Board of Industrial Hygiene.
ACS - American Chemical Society.
AIHA - American Industrial Hygiene Association.
ASCLD - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
ASCLD/LAB - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board.
ASTM International - ASTM International, formerly known as American Standards and Testing Material.
CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist.
Civil Litigation - A cause has been initiated against an individual or group of individuals for civil damages.
CPC - Certified Professional Chemist.
Criminal Litigation - A cause has been brought against an individual or group of individuals by a Law Enforcement Agency.
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency.
LDEQ - Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
LELAP - Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
NELAC - National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference.
RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
RS - Registered Sanitarian.
SW846 - The EPA publication SW-846.
TCEQ - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
ABC - American Board of Criminalistics.
ABIH - American Board of Industrial Hygiene.
ACS - American Chemical Society.
AIHA - American Industrial Hygiene Association.
ASCLD - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
ASCLD/LAB - American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board.
ASTM International - ASTM International, formerly known as American Standards and Testing Material.
CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist.
Civil Litigation - A cause has been initiated against an individual or group of individuals for civil damages.
CPC - Certified Professional Chemist.
Criminal Litigation - A cause has been brought against an individual or group of individuals by a Law Enforcement Agency.
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency.
LDEQ - Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
LELAP - Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
NELAC - National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference.
RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
RS - Registered Sanitarian.
SW846 - The EPA publication SW-846.
TCEQ - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.