Proficiency Test
Definition
A blind or semi-blind comparison exercise in which an examiner or laboratory analyses a set of test prints of known ground truth; results are compared against a reference answer and against peer performance; mandatory under ISO 17025 section 7.7.
- Type
- Comparison exercise with blind or semi-blind samples
- Regulatory requirement
- Mandatory under ISO 17025 section 7.7
- What gets measured
- Lab performance against known reference answers and peer performance
Common questions
What is a proficiency test in a forensic lab?+
A proficiency test is a blind or semi-blind comparison exercise where an examiner or lab analyzes test samples of known composition without being told what the correct result should be. The lab's results are then compared against the reference answer and against how peer labs performed on the same samples.
Why do labs run proficiency tests?+
Proficiency testing is an independent check on whether a lab's methods and analysts are performing correctly. It is required under ISO 17025 quality standards and helps verify that an analyst can produce accurate results on real casework.
What makes a proficiency test 'blind'?+
In a blind or semi-blind test, the analyst does not know the ground truth composition or expected result of the samples beforehand. This prevents bias and ensures the test measures actual method performance rather than the analyst's prior knowledge.
Related terms
- OSAC
- Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science: established by NIST and DOJ in 2014, it develops consensus forensic standards through structured...
- Accreditation
- Formal recognition by a standards body (such as UKAS in the UK, A2LA in the US, or NABL in India) that a...
- ACE-V Validation
- The documented process of demonstrating that a laboratory's local implementation of the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification methodology produces reliable results across the...
- ANAB
- The American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board, formed after the merger of ASCLD-LAB with ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board in 2016. Now...
- ENFSI FWG
- ENFSI Fingerprint Working Group: the inter-laboratory coordination body within the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes that harmonises fingerprint examination methodology, runs...
- FSR Act 2021
- The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021 (England and Wales), which gave the Forensic Science Regulator statutory powers to require compliance with its...
- IAI Latent Print Certification (LPC)
- The individual examiner credential awarded by the International Association for Identification since 1977; requires written and practical examinations plus documented casework experience,...
- ISO/IEC 17025
- The international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, published jointly by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. It...
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017
- The international standard specifying general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Covers management (document control, non-conforming work, audits) and...
- NABL T-126
- Technical Requirement T-126 issued by India's National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories: the discipline-specific criteria for forensic science laboratories, covering...
- Negative Control
- A sample known not to contain the target antigen. Run alongside case samples to detect contamination or non-specific background reactivity. A reactive...
- Positive Control
- A sample of known composition containing the target antigen at a concentration that should produce a defined signal. Run alongside case samples...
Explained in these topics
- Quality Assurance in Serology LaboratoriesA blind trial in which an analyst or laboratory receives samples of known but undisclosed composition and is assessed on whether the correct results are produc...
- Quality Systems: ISO 17025, IAI, ENFSI and NABL for Fingerprint LabsA blind or semi-blind comparison exercise in which an examiner or laboratory analyses a set of test prints of known ground truth; results are compared against...