Proficiency Test (PT)
Definition
An external blind trial in which a laboratory receives samples of known (but concealed) identity and is evaluated on whether its results match the known answers. Distinguishes from internal quality control, which is run by the same laboratory.
Related terms
- Accreditation Body
- A national or regional organisation that assesses laboratories against ISO/IEC 17025 and grants accreditation. Examples include UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), NIST-associated...
- Blank Control
- A sample known to contain none of the target material, processed in parallel with real exhibits to detect laboratory contamination. A positive...
- ISO 17025
- International standard for the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Covers management system requirements (document control, internal audits,...
- Method Validation
- The process of demonstrating that an analytical method does what it claims: that it correctly identifies the target analyte, at what sensitivity,...
- Reference Collection
- A curated library of verified specimens from known species, subspecies, and geographic populations used as comparators in forensic identification. The depth and...
Explained in
- Quality Assurance, Reference Collections, and AccreditationAn external blind trial in which a laboratory receives samples of known (but concealed) identity and is evaluated on whether its results match the known answer...