Quality control and quality assurance in DNA laboratories: legal, civil and ethical aspects

Abstract 

The quality and professionalism of DNA testing in forensic laboratories, due to direct interference with human genetic material, must be strictly controlled. Laboratories must take into consideration first of all the doctrinal principles in the field of forensic hemogenetics, both acknowledged standards and those used in practice, and guidelines for their control and quality assurance. Processes used in DNA testing must be harmonised with current national legislation and with ethical norms adopted in the form of declarations by the World Health Organization. The consideration of all measures and standards is the only way to achieve high-quality final results which are comparable to the results of other laboratories and to ensure the making of correct and impartial decisions in DNA testing.

Keywords:  DNA testing, DNA laboratory, Quality control