U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Events
 Using Risk Management to Optimize Forensic Laboratory Operations

  © rawpixel-com/freepik.com (see reuse policy). Event Dates
              June 30, 2022, 1:00 pm
 – 2:00 pmEastern
Event Duration
              1 hour
Location
              Online

Register

The use of risk management has been historically absent from the management of forensic science laboratories. While ISO 3100 (Risk Management Principles and Guidelines) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) emphasized risk management, it was not until ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 highlighted its importance that forensic science managers began to take note. Even since its inclusion in ISO/IEC 17025, there remains a misunderstanding on what risk management is and how it can be used to improve laboratory operations.

Risk management is used in numerous industries, and each applies the principle in a slightly different manner. For example, a retail store may define risk management in terms of reducing theft while car manufacturers may look at eliminating recalls or improving vehicle safety. Regardless, the underlying goal of risk management is to systematically account for and understand the uncertainties associated with reaching the desired objective. The primary role of forensic laboratories is to convert evidence into forensic information. This information is then used to inform numerous investigative, judicial, intelligence, and administrative processes. The objective of forensic laboratories is to ensure that the information provided is unimpeachable and scientifically valid. Forensic laboratories employ numerous quality control systems to reduce errors or failures occurring that would compromise the integrity of the forensic information. However, the likelihood and magnitude of the mistakes are often not evaluated sufficiently. Risk management provides a means to objectively assess and mitigate the factors impacting these errors or failures that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Risk management consists of three parts: identifying risk, assessing risk, and controlling risk. These three phases can be accomplished using a variety of different tools and methods. One common tool used by forensic science laboratories that closely relates to risk management is Root Cause Analysis (RCA) which assesses and controls ‘actions’ by retrospectively evaluating non-conformances. Since RCA does not technically consider risk in determining the action taken, it can be paired with a formal assessment tool such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to provide an effective risk management approach to evaluating non-conformances. The value of risk management is that it can be used both prospectively and retrospectively, and tools selected to identify, assess, and control risk provide a more in-depth understanding of all the interrelated components of threats and opportunities that can affect an organization.

This webinar will demonstrate how incorporating a risk management program into a forensic laboratory’s management system assists in optimizing operations and continual improvement. Identifying risks, assessing actual and potential impacts, and controlling or mitigating events are all parts of the risk management program. Data-driven decision-making is made possible by looking for details and trends within aggregated information to assist in planning. Tools for evaluating risks help forensic laboratory management determine appropriately scaled actions, leading to decisions that organize available data to facilitate decision-making.

The webinar will define risk management and explain how risk can be both positive and negative. It will show how risk management informs strategic planning and other critical managerial initiatives. It will show how ISO has embraced risk management and provide examples of incorporating risk management in a quality management system. Lastly, the webinar will provide a case study showing how the FMEA tool was used to enhance the quality assurance programs in a forensic laboratory.

**Detailed Learning Objectives**

Attendees will learn the meaning and purpose of risk management as it relates to forensic laboratories.
	Attendees will understand the value of incorporating risk management into their forensic laboratory management systems.
	Attendees will understand how assessing risk management can improve forensic laboratory quality assurance programs.
View Event Page
  
  
          Details
Event Type
              Webinar
    Event Option(s)
          Online,
                        On demand

Sponsor(s) / Host(s)

Forensic Technology Center of Excellence;National Institute of Justice (NIJ), U.S. Department of Justice
    Contact
          Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

  Link
              Contact the FTCoE with questions about this event

  Email
              [email protected]

  Registration Dates
              June 8, 2022 - June 30, 2022

  Registration Status
              Open

  Cost
              $0

  Eligibility
              Open to all.

  Credits
              Certificate of completion
    
  
Read more about
    
            Motor vehicle theft
        Forensic laboratories
        Risk management
        Laboratory operations
        Forensic sciences
        Larceny/theft
        Evidence analysis and processing
        Case studies
        Forensic Technology Center of Excellence
  
Date Created: April 22, 2022
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ 2024 Research Conference
    
      
            
            
            
      Scheduled Events
    
      
            
            
            
      On-Demand Events
    
      
            
            
            
      Research Meetings & Workshops
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ-Hosted Online TrainingSimilar Events
        
                      DEIA: What I learned from the AAFS Diversity Outreach Committee
                  FBI Laboratory Decision Analysis Studies in Pattern Evidence Examinations
                  Discovery, Disclosure and Ethical Considerations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov