Andrea Palmiotto worked with a team of ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board technical assessors to review the forensic science procedures and standards used at the the FBI Forensic Laboratory. Forensic laboratories seek accreditation to ensure their work meets quality assurance requirements and demonstrate compliance with international standards. The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board provides accreditation services that adhere to the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization.
Palmiotto joined a recent assessment team as the forensic anthropology consultant. Although COVID-19 precautions led the assessment to be conducted remotely, the ANAB assessment team spent several days reviewing materials and meeting with lab staff via video to assess the FBI lab operations. The Anthropology Division was established in 2010 to provide field and laboratory assistance in the recovery and identification of unknown skeletal remains.
Accreditation is not required for forensic laboratories, but working within these parameters strengthens legal cases through thorough documentation, proper evidence handling, and analysis.
As a technical assessor, Palmiotto brings her years of experience as a forensic anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is the first accredited forensic anthropology laboratory in the world. She is scheduled to assist with additional accreditation assessments later this year.