Impact of Implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 In DNA Laboratory in Sudanese Forensic Laboratories

Abstract

Standard ISO/IEC 17025 has been applied in many Laboratories worldwide for the past years. This descriptive study was carried out in the DNA laboratory at Sudanese Forensic Evidence Department - General Directorate of Criminal Evidence, during the period from June 2018 to November 2018. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate implementation of a quality management system in compliance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 at DNA Department in Sudanese Forensic (SFED) involving the identification and assessment of the various aspects to be considered for the implementation of a QMS based on the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard and to enumerate the practical benefits derived from laboratory accreditation. The methodology of the study based on statistical survey using questionnaire that was developed and distributed to the employees working in DNA laboratory and then was collected and analyzed using SPSS program. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. The main results of the study are 45%of workers has working experience up to 10 years and 20% has more than 5 and less than 10 years and 35% has more than 1 and less than 5 years,12.5% of workers has diploma and 50% has bachelor degree and 37.5% has post graduate degree, 17.5% of workers are unaware to ISO/IEC 17025 and 50% are aware and 32.5% are strongly aware to ISO/IEC 17025, 55.6% of workers are agreed that there is a defect in staff competency and 24.4% are disagreed with it and 20% are neutral, 45% of workers are in agreement with the service provided by DNA laboratory is poor with low quality and 30% are disagreed with it and 25% are neutral, 51.9% of workers are agreed that there is no clear management system with known responsibility and 21.3% are disagreed with it and 26.8% are neutral, 60% of workers are in agreement with the working environment is suitable and helps in correct testing results and 17.5% are disagreed with it and 22.5% are neutral, 46.9% of workers are agreed that the top management is not committed to improving the management system and 23.8% are disagreed with it and 29.3% are neutral. The study concluded that the service provided by DNA laboratory is partially good and with high quality and the top management is committed for improving the management system and the working environment is suitable for work, but the training method need some improvement process with no clear management system inside DNA department.