Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.

Addressing calls for transparency regarding errors and limitations in forensic processes is an ongoing concern for the forensic science service provider community and the stakeholders it serves worldwide. Foundational to this goal is developing a consistent approach to the identification of issues t...

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Main Authors: Heavey, Anna L., Houck, M. M., Turbett, G. R., Lewis, Simon
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/98082
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author Heavey, Anna L.
Houck, M. M.
Turbett, G. R.
Lewis, Simon
author_facet Heavey, Anna L.
Houck, M. M.
Turbett, G. R.
Lewis, Simon
author_sort Heavey, Anna L.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Addressing calls for transparency regarding errors and limitations in forensic processes is an ongoing concern for the forensic science service provider community and the stakeholders it serves worldwide. Foundational to this goal is developing a consistent approach to the identification of issues that have, or could have, an impact on the quality and reliability of forensic results. A standardized approach to the classification of quality issues detected within forensic agency management systems may be the strategic key to supporting consistent identification and disclosure, along with enhancing a positive quality culture throughout forensic service providers and building understanding of "error" in forensic science with end users of forensic information. A survey of international forensic science service providers was conducted to gain deeper insights into current systems of issue identification, classification, management, and disclosure along with perceptions on quality issues, their use and communication by forensic agency staff. The survey results demonstrate that development of a standardized approach would be of significant value to the forensic science community and its stakeholders, with potential benefit not only to improved communication and use of quality issue data but also in advancing a positive culture of quality and credibility in forensic service provision to support justice outcomes.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-980822025-07-23T02:57:31Z Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions. Heavey, Anna L. Houck, M. M. Turbett, G. R. Lewis, Simon ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation error quality quality issues quality management standards Addressing calls for transparency regarding errors and limitations in forensic processes is an ongoing concern for the forensic science service provider community and the stakeholders it serves worldwide. Foundational to this goal is developing a consistent approach to the identification of issues that have, or could have, an impact on the quality and reliability of forensic results. A standardized approach to the classification of quality issues detected within forensic agency management systems may be the strategic key to supporting consistent identification and disclosure, along with enhancing a positive quality culture throughout forensic service providers and building understanding of "error" in forensic science with end users of forensic information. A survey of international forensic science service providers was conducted to gain deeper insights into current systems of issue identification, classification, management, and disclosure along with perceptions on quality issues, their use and communication by forensic agency staff. The survey results demonstrate that development of a standardized approach would be of significant value to the forensic science community and its stakeholders, with potential benefit not only to improved communication and use of quality issue data but also in advancing a positive culture of quality and credibility in forensic service provision to support justice outcomes. 2025 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/98082 10.1111/1556-4029.70121 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ fulltext
spellingShingle ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation
error
quality
quality issues
quality management
standards
Heavey, Anna L.
Houck, M. M.
Turbett, G. R.
Lewis, Simon
Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title_full Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title_fullStr Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title_full_unstemmed Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title_short Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and perceptions.
title_sort quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: a survey of practice and perceptions.
topic ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation
error
quality
quality issues
quality management
standards
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/98082