Accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 from February 2011
In March 2006, the Forensic Science Institute was accredited by the DAP German Accreditation System for Testing, according to ISO standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005. In July 2007 accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020:2004 followed (Scope of accreditation, page 47). With this certificate of competence as a test laboratory as well as an inspection body, the Forensic Science Institute of the BKA acknowledges its excellent reputation and its principle:
Competent handling of issues in the highest standards of forensic sciences by the optimal use of resources (Anmerkung: Text in blauer Farbe)
The particular significance of accreditation together with a quality management system covering both norms, results from the worldwide comparability of test results, so that expert opinions on behalf of international institutions, such as for instance the International Criminal Court in The Hague, become possible. Moreover, this formal proof of competence through accreditation is in accordance with the excellent national and international reputation the KTI has established over decades.
Quality Management
The unit “Quality Management”is the link between the Forensic Science Institute of the BKA and the DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle, Germany's National Accreditation Body).
This unit is responsible for the implementation, maintenance, and development of the quality management system of the KTI, in particular the accreditation requirements according to the standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020.
Furthermore, the quality management unit represents the interests of the KTI through the membership in various national and international committees. In addition, the quality management unit provides counselling for internal and external clients in matters of quality management.