Technical Review
Definition
The examination of an analyst's raw data, notes, and draft report by a second qualified analyst before the report is issued. Catches calculation errors, methodology gaps, and overstatements before they reach the court.
- Context
- Forensic laboratory quality assurance
- Reviewer
- A second qualified analyst
- Timing
- Before the report is issued
- Checks for
- Calculation errors, methodology gaps, overstatements
Common questions
How does technical review differ from administrative review in a lab's quality system?+
Technical review is a substantive check of the underlying scientific work, such as whether the methodology was followed correctly and the data supports the stated conclusion, while administrative review checks formatting, completeness, and clerical accuracy of the report, and most accredited labs require both as separate steps.
What happens if a technical reviewer disagrees with the original analyst's conclusion?+
The disagreement is typically resolved through documented discussion between the analyst and reviewer, escalation to a technical lead, or reanalysis, and the resolution is recorded in the case file rather than the report being issued with an unresolved conflict.
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