Santa Clara County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
2014-2015 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report Santa Clara County Crime Lab on the Right Track
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 18 findings
F1
The Crime Lab’s continued ASCLD/LAB accreditation and accreditation from both national and ISO/ IEC standards is testament to a culture that maintains a highly qualified staff and operation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Newspaper article dated 5/5/2014 – Crime lab uses wrong chemical in 2,500 methamphetamine tests in Santa Clara County
F2
The Crime Lab demonstrated transparency in reporting this incident.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Corrective Action Request CAR # 14-002 dated 4/4/2014 (Confidential)
F3
The Crime Lab’s Meth Test Mix-Up was corrected by modifying the test procedure and using a single reference standard for the Enzyme ImmunoSorbent Assay (EIA), Gas Chromatography (GC), and Mass Spectrometry (MS) tests.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
ASCLD/LAB-International Program – Scope of Accreditation – Corresponds to Certificate Number ALI-207-T dated 3/20/2012
F4
The Crime Lab changed container labeling by using new and larger container labels, storing the solution in another room/cabinet, and having another technician verify the solution being used.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
2014 Internal Audit Report for the Santa Clara County DA’s Laboratory Summary Non-Conformance Report with Responses dated 5/19-6/2/2014
F5
The Crime Lab has experienced and vigilant staff that follows well-developed quality control processes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Sarah Kerrigan, Ph.D., Drug Toxicology for Prosecutors, Oct 2004, p. 39
F6
Complying with ISO 17025, A Practical Guidebook, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Vienna ,2009, p. 20
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Complying with ISO 17025, A Practical Guidebook, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Vienna ,2009, p. 20
F7
FBI – CODIS and NDIS Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CODIS Program and the National DNA Index System http://www.fbi.gov/about- us/lab/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
FBI – CODIS and NDIS Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CODIS Program and the National DNA Index System http://www.fbi.gov/about- us/lab/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet
F8
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Why become an Accredited Laboratory?
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Why become an Accredited Laboratory?
F9
San Jose Mercury News Article dated1/5/2011 – New Crime Lab Director Named
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
San Jose Mercury News Article dated1/5/2011 – New Crime Lab Director Named
F10
Inspection And Inquiry Report Into Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory.pdf
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Inspection And Inquiry Report Into Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory.pdf
F11
General Requirements: Accreditation Of Field Testing And Field Calibration Laboratories
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
General Requirements: Accreditation Of Field Testing And Field Calibration Laboratories
F12
Crime Lab Administrative Directives Manual- Rev. 4, 10-2-14
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
Crime Lab Administrative Directives Manual- Rev. 4, 10-2-14
F13
An Examination of Forensic Science in California, November 2009
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
An Examination of Forensic Science in California, November 2009
F14
Elevated Methamphetamine Crime Lab Test Found, Fixed - District Attorney - County of Santa Clara
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
Elevated Methamphetamine Crime Lab Test Found, Fixed - District Attorney - County of Santa Clara
F15
General Requirements: ACCREDITATION OF FIELD TESTING AND FIELD CALIBRATION LABORATORIES , American Association for Laboratory Accreditation
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
General Requirements: ACCREDITATION OF FIELD TESTING AND FIELD CALIBRATION LABORATORIES , American Association for Laboratory Accreditation
F16
Molly E. Griswold, Its More Complex Than You Think - A Chiefs Guide to DNA, Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, DC 20036, 2010
Related Recommendations (1)
R16
Molly E. Griswold, Its More Complex Than You Think - A Chiefs Guide to DNA, Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, DC 20036, 2010
F17
Simplified Guide Drug Chemistry, National Forensic Science Technology Center, 7881 114th Avenue, North Largo, Florida 33773
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
Simplified Guide Drug Chemistry, National Forensic Science Technology Center, 7881 114th Avenue, North Largo, Florida 33773
F18
Santa Clara County Crime Lab Procedures: a. 1.2.4 - Drug Testing Quality Assurance Rev.8 b. 1.6.3 - Specifications for GCMS Results- Rev 7 c. 2.1.1 - Toxicology Training Scope-Rev.5 d. 2.2.3 - GCMS Training Module-2 e. 2.3.3 - GCMS Analysis Training Checklist- 2 f. 3.5.1 - Blood MDMA Confirmation Method- 2 g. 3.9.1 - Organizing and Distributing GCMS Paperwork Procedure- 2 June 29, 2015 A typographical error was discovered following the distribution of copies of the report entitled "Santa Clara County Crime Lab, On The Right Track." The second paragraph on references Mass Spectroscopy, but it should reference Mass Spectrometry.
Related Recommendations (1)
R18
Santa Clara County Crime Lab Procedures: a. 1.2.4 - Drug Testing Quality Assurance Rev.8 b. 1.6.3 - Specifications for GCMS Results- Rev 7 c. 2.1.1 - Toxicology Training Scope-Rev.5 d. 2.2.3 - GCMS Training Module-2 e. 2.3.3 - GCMS Analysis Training Checklist- 2 f. 3.5.1 - Blood MDMA Confirmation Method- 2 g. 3.9.1 - Organizing and Distributing GCMS Paperwork Procedure- 2 June 29, 2015 A typographical error was discovered following the distribution of copies of the report entitled "Santa Clara County Crime Lab, On The Right Track." The second paragraph on
Conclusions 21
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CL1 Page 12The Crime Lab demonstrated transparency in reporting this incident.
-
CL2 Page 12The Crime Lab’s Meth Test Mix-Up was corrected by modifying the test procedure and using a single reference standard for the Enzyme ImmunoSorbent Assay (EIA), Gas Chromatography (GC), and Mass Spectrometry (MS) tests.
-
CL3 Page 12The Crime Lab changed container labeling by using new and larger container labels, storing the solution in another room/cabinet, and having another technician verify the solution being used.
-
CL4 Page 12The Crime Lab has experienced and vigilant staff that follows well-developed quality control processes.
-
CL5 Page 16Newspaper article dated 5/5/2014 – Crime lab uses wrong chemical in 2,500 methamphetamine tests in Santa Clara County
-
CL6 Page 16Corrective Action Request CAR # 14-002 dated 4/4/2014 (Confidential)
-
CL7 Page 16ASCLD/LAB-International Program – Scope of Accreditation – Corresponds to Certificate Number ALI-207-T dated 3/20/2012 4. 2014 Internal Audit Report for the Santa Clara County DA’s Laboratory Summary Non-Conformance Report with Responses dated 5/19-6/2/2014
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CL8 Page 6Sarah Kerrigan, Ph.D., Drug Toxicology for Prosecutors, Oct 2004, p. 39
-
CL9 Page 16Complying with ISO 17025, A Practical Guidebook, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Vienna ,2009, p. 20
-
CL10 Page 16FBI – CODIS and NDIS Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CODIS Program and the National DNA Index System http://www.fbi.gov/about- us/lab/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet
-
CL11 Page 16International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Why become an Accredited Laboratory?
-
CL12 Page 16San Jose Mercury News Article dated1/5/2011 – New Crime Lab Director Named
-
CL13 Page 16Inspection And Inquiry Report Into Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory.pdf
-
CL14 Page 16General Requirements: Accreditation Of Field Testing And Field Calibration Laboratories
-
CL15 Page 16Crime Lab Administrative Directives Manual- Rev. 4, 10-2-14
-
CL16 Page 16An Examination of Forensic Science in California, November 2009
-
CL17 Page 14Elevated Methamphetamine Crime Lab Test Found, Fixed - District Attorney - County of Santa Clara
-
CL18 Page 16General Requirements: ACCREDITATION OF FIELD TESTING AND FIELD CALIBRATION LABORATORIES , American Association for Laboratory Accreditation
-
CL19 Page 17Molly E. Griswold, Its More Complex Than You Think - A Chiefs Guide to DNA, Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, DC 20036, 2010
-
CL20 Page 17Simplified Guide Drug Chemistry, National Forensic Science Technology Center, 7881 114th Avenue, North Largo, Florida 33773
-
CL21 Page 17Santa Clara County Crime Lab Procedures: a. 1.2.4 - Drug Testing Quality Assurance Rev.8 b. 1.6.3 - Specifications for GCMS Results- Rev 7 c. 2.1.1 - Toxicology Training Scope-Rev.5 d. 2.2.3 - GCMS Training Module-2 e. 2.3.3 - GCMS Analysis Training Checklist- 2 f. 3.5.1 - Blood MDMA Confirmation Method- 2 g. 3.9.1 - Organizing and Distributing GCMS Paperwork Procedure- 2 June 29, 2015 A typographical error was discovered following the distribution of copies of the report entitled "Santa Clara County Crime Lab, On The Right Track." The second paragraph on page 7 references Mass Spectroscopy, but it should reference Mass Spectrometry.