Accreditation and Quality Assurance

Implementing a new risk management culture in a forensic genetics laboratory: first steps

Isadora Cooke Silva ¹

Ígor Giraldi de Oliveira ¹

Renato Teodoro Ferreira de Paranaiba ²

Levy Heleno Fassio ²

Ronaldo Carneiro Da Silva Junior ²

Bruno Rodrigues Trindade ²

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Professional Internship Program, Institute of Biological Sciences (IB), University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil

Forensic Genetics Expertise Service (SEPGEF), National Institute of Criminalistics of Federal Police of Brazil (INC/PF), Brasília, Brazil

Publication type: Journal Article

Publication date: 2024-12-05

Springer Nature

Journal: Accreditation and Quality Assurance

scimago Q3

wos Q4

SJR: 0.274

CiteScore: 1.8

Impact factor: 0.8

ISSN: 09491775, 14320517

DOI: 10.1007/s00769-024-01627-5

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Abstract

The risk management approach has become crucial in quality management systems, to the extent that its importance has been reflected in the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. In 2014, the Brazilian Federal Police’s Forensic Genetics Expertise Service (SEPGEF/PF) implemented a quality management system based on NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2005. This article outlines the initial steps taken to embed a risk management culture within the laboratory to align it with the new NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2017 version. The main focus was to analyze SEPGEF’s nonconformity records between august 2014 and april 2024 and, based on this, to develop methods for mapping, assessing and treating the risks associated with these events. Additionally, the main risks that threaten the integrity of DNA samples were discussed. We also presented future prospects for the unit in order to promote more effective management of the risks that affect its objectives.