Significance of OC Sheriff-Coroner ASCLD/LAB Accreditation
Posted by: CotoBlogzz | 07/16/2008 9:12 AM
We contacted ASCLD/LAB-International program manager John Neuner to help us understand the significance of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner laboratory accreditation in the ASCLD/LAB-International program. According to Mr. Neuner "The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner laboratory is the first local government, full-service laboratory in California to be accredited in the ASCLD/LAB-International program. It was the 63rd laboratory to be accredited by ASCLD/LAB in this relatively new program".
Further, Neuer asserted, "the laboratory has satisfactorily demonstrated they are providing forensic science testing services in accordance with internationally accepted practices for a testing laboratory"
We asked Mr. Neuner for copies of ASCLD/LAB site visit reports, as well as cost involved in the certification process. " Site visit reports in the possession of ASCLD/LAB are not public record", was Mr. Neuner's response.
The reason for our interest in site reports is that we know of global companies, which have received the highest level of certification in their respective class, yet seem to produce not very good product.
The OCSD is in dire need of an extreme corporate culture makeover and Sheriff Hutchens has billed herself as just the right tool. With the politicized environment and not so stellar history, any OCSD accreditation, without independent verification, is at best suspect.
Further, Neuer asserted, "the laboratory has satisfactorily demonstrated they are providing forensic science testing services in accordance with internationally accepted practices for a testing laboratory"
We asked Mr. Neuner for copies of ASCLD/LAB site visit reports, as well as cost involved in the certification process. " Site visit reports in the possession of ASCLD/LAB are not public record", was Mr. Neuner's response.
The reason for our interest in site reports is that we know of global companies, which have received the highest level of certification in their respective class, yet seem to produce not very good product.
The OCSD is in dire need of an extreme corporate culture makeover and Sheriff Hutchens has billed herself as just the right tool. With the politicized environment and not so stellar history, any OCSD accreditation, without independent verification, is at best suspect.
CATEGORY:
OC Sheriff's Department
Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
What exception to the Public Records Act was Mr. Neuner & the OCSD claiming?
Meddlesome:
Stay tuned - we expect to get the information, and possibly more - before the start of the Pony and Dog show.
ASCLD is a private organization, so why would their site review be a matter of public record?
ASCLD, as an organization, may be private. Consequently, their internal records of the site inspections are probably not public.
In contrast, the site inspection reports that they sent to the County for services requested by the County are public records unless those reports qualify for one of several specific exclusions from the PRA. If someone were to submit a correctly drafted Public Records Act request to the County asking for copies of those site inspection reports, the County must take one of three actions: (1) provide the reports as requested, (2) provide copies of the reports redacting confidential information, or (3) refuse to provide those reports, stating the claimed exception to the Act.
If the County refuses--and their refusal does not conform to the exclusions enumerated in the Act--interested persons can file suit in Superior Court to obtain an order releasing the requested information. http://www.thefirstamendment.org/publicrecordsact.pdf
Consider that in the private sector, accreditation is generally expensive, and is usually pursued as a function of organizational culture, as a competitive weapon (read PR) and or as a “pay to play” – that is, no accreditation, no business. In all cases, there needs to be substance behind the accreditation – Remember the Ford is Job One flop?
Implied in all this is that P&L (read accountability) is part of the decision making process. Also consider that in general, accredited organizations with poor quality performance as in Ford is Job One, the number one issue is incompetent management. Further, consider that accreditation puts much weight on management, the ASCLD/LAB Accreditation is no different
Now consider that the OCSD lab is NOT a self-organized, self-managed organization. Further, consider that the OCSD organizational culture and subcultures are influenced by the OCSD, the OCDA, the OCBOS and the AOCSD, among other special interest groups and or departments.
So, some of the questions that come to mind are: How much did the lab pay for the accreditation? Is the OCDA expecting a higher rate of conviction as a result of the certification? Did the ASCLD/LAB accreditation team take into account that the lab is not an independently managed organization?
As we have said before, unless there is unequivocal, reliable, independent verification, the ASCLD/LAB accreditation is simply one more instance of Quality is Job One, at taxpayer's expense!
I'm a lab manager who lead my lab through the ASCLD certification. For anybody that hasn't been through it - it is no cakewalk. You might try and give your sheriff's dept some slack here. I'll try and answer some of your questions but I gotta be honest - you sound like your out for somebody's head here. ASCLD is a private organization. They don't owe you or anybody else any of their privately held information.
"accreditation is generally expensive..." Labs seeking ASCLD acceditation have to pay 50 bucks for the ASCLD manual which lists all of the requirements for accreditation. (150+ requirements) The labs also have to pay hotel and ground travel expenses for the ASCLD inspection team which consists of two people. Typically 4-5 days for the onsite inspection. You do the math. It isn't very expensive so put away your pitchfork.
In reponse to all your rants about management... ASCLD has very specific requirements for not only lab management but also the organization in which the lab operates. ASCLD requires a system of accountability be in place for the lab management and the organization as a whole is providing the lab management with the tools they need to be successful. ASCLD also has education and training requirements for lab management which assures that labs are not being managed by "incompetent management".
"the ASCLD/LAB Accreditation is no different" - how can you make this claim since you obviously know exactly dick about ASCLD?
"Is the OCDA expecting a higher rate of conviction as a result of the certification?" - Having ASCLD certification basically allows the lab to say "We opened up our lab operations to an independent accrditing body and had each lab policy and procedure evaluated from the top down and we have received approval from that independent body". You could definitely see how this could help lend credence to your testimony in court. (in your case - maybe not)
"Did the ASCLD/LAB accreditation team take into account that the lab is not an independently managed organization?" - As I said before - the lab and the organizational structure in which it operates is evaluated together.
"As we have said before, unless there is unequivocal, reliable, independent verification"... - ASCLD is an independent reliable outside source you douchebag. You don't want accountability and "independent verification"... you have a chip on your shoulder about something.