At a minimum, all exterior doorways to the laboratory facility must be controlled in order to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. All security doors must have keys or other access devices limited to authorized personnel. Each access device must be accounted for by a written register system. Besides exterior door control, the entire exterior perimeter of a forensic science laboratory must inhibit unauthorized access. For example, suspended ceilings which permit undetected entry to the laboratory are unacceptable.
Many forensic laboratories exist within a host agency facility.
This may require written procedures to permit entry during off hours for emergencies. Such arrangements are acceptable if they include, for exampled, the breaking of a storage seal to access a key, code, etc. A written record system should document each emergency access to the laboratory. Such access must involve a lock system and laboratory procedures which protect evidence from loss, cross transfer, contamination or other deleterious changes. Health and safety are everyone's responsibility and require the commitment of each employee to be effective.