Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 10 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Part 5 › Subtitle 51 - FORENSIC LABORATORIES › Chapter 10.51.06 - Employees › Section 10.51.06.07 - Director - Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A forensic laboratory director shall:
A. Be accessible to forensic laboratory
				  employees to provide on-site, telephonic, or electronic consultation as
				  needed;
B. Ensure that:
(1) Forensic testing and examination systems
				  developed and used for each forensic analysis performed in the laboratory
				  provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test and examination
				  performance including the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of
				  the forensic analysis;
(2) The
				  physical plant and environmental conditions of the forensic laboratory are
				  appropriate for the testing performed;
(3) Forensic laboratory employees are
				  provided a safe work environment and are protected from physical, chemical, and
				  biological hazards;
(4) A forensic
				  analysis method selected for use in the laboratory has the capability of
				  providing an accurate and reliable result with known or defined
				  uncertainty;
(5) Verification
				  procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, uncertainty,
				  and other pertinent performance characteristics of each forensic analysis
				  method;
(6) Forensic analysis
				  employees perform the forensic analysis methods as required by the laboratory's
				  established procedures to assure accurate and reliable results;
(7) The forensic laboratory participates in
				  and uses a Department-approved proficiency testing provider as set forth in
				  this subtitle, for each forensic analysis the laboratory performs or offers to
				  perform;
(8) Received proficiency
				  test reports are reviewed by the appropriate forensic analysis employees to:
(a) Evaluate the laboratory's performance;
				  and
(b) Identify any problems which
				  require corrective action;
(9) A corrective action plan is followed when
				  a proficiency test result is found to be unacceptable or
				  unsatisfactory;
(10) Quality
				  control, quality assurance and assessment, and ethics and data integrity
				  programs are established, maintained, and followed as set forth in this
				  subtitle;
(11) A case file is
				  maintained for a minimum of 10 years after the case is received;
(12) Acceptable levels of analytical
				  performance for each forensic analysis are established and
				  maintained;
(13) Remedial actions
				  are taken and documented if a deviation from the forensic laboratory's
				  established performance characteristics is identified;
(14) Procedures and mechanisms are
				  established, maintained, and followed to preserve evidentiary sample and
				  specimen integrity and identity throughout the forensic analysis
				  process;
(15) Forensic test and
				  examination results are reported only when the forensic analysis system is
				  functioning properly;
(16) Reports
				  of forensic analysis results include pertinent information required for correct
				  interpretation;
(17) Consultation
				  is available to the forensic laboratory's clients on matters relating to the
				  quality of the reported forensic analysis results and interpretation;
(18) There is on-site supervision of forensic
				  analyses and examinations being performed;
(19) An employee has sufficient education and
				  experience related to the forensic analyses and examinations being performed,
				  has completed the training for the type and complexity of tests and
				  examinations performed, and has demonstrated reliable test performance and
				  examination operations to provide and report accurate results;
(20) Before performing a forensic analysis on
				  an evidentiary sample or specimen, an employee has demonstrated reliable and
				  proficient analysis and the providing and reporting of accurate
				  results;
(21) Policies and
				  procedures are established for monitoring the performance of employees who
				  conduct pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of the forensic
				  analysis process to assure that:
(a)
				  Employees are competent and maintain competency to:
(i) Process samples and specimens;
(ii) Perform forensic tests and examinations;
				  and
(iii) Report forensic analysis
				  results promptly and proficiently; and
(b) Employee needs for remedial training or
				  continuing education to improve skills are identified, when necessary;
				  and
(22) A procedure
				  manual is available to and followed by all employees responsible for any aspect
				  of the forensic analysis process;