GenQuest’s Accreditations, Certifications, and Programs GenQuest DNA Laboratory is accredited for relationship and forensic DNA testing and uses these accrediting, certifying, and standardization bodies to ensure our testing meets industry standards. American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) GenQuest has been accredited by AABB for relationship testing since 2004. AABB’s Relationship Testing Accreditation program is the industry standard for DNA relationship testing laboratories, and establishes and promotes the highest standards of testing quality in all aspects of relationship testing. US Government agencies (such as US Embassies and the USCIS) and most US courts require DNA tests to be performed by AABB accredited laboratories. US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) The US Department of Homeland Security is responsible for providing immigration-related services and benefits such as naturalization and work authorization, as well as investigative and enforcement responsibilities for enforcement of federal immigration law, customs laws, and air security laws. The DHS oversees the functions of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and in conjunction with the US Department of State, requires any relationship DNA testing used for immigration purposes to be done through an AABB accredited laboratory. Because GenQuest is accredited under the AABB for relationship DNA testing, the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and Department of State accept DNA test results produced by our laboratory. College of American Pathologists (CAP) CAP has provided proficiency testing services for more than 65 years and has partnerships with over 20,000 laboratories worldwide. The goal of any proficiency testing program is to ensure a laboratory is delivering consistent and accurate results. GenQuest has been proficiency testing since 1995. International Organization for Standardization (ISO 17025) ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard established to ensure the technical competency of laboratories to carry out tests and/or calibrations, including sampling. This standard encompasses every aspect of laboratory management, from sample preparation to analytical testing proficiency to record keeping and reports. GenQuest has been audited to ISO/IEC 17025 under the ANAB accreditation since 2010. ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Formerly FQS, the ANAB accreditation service is one of the few multi-disciplinary bodies offering lab accreditation in many different areas of calibrations and testing. ANAB’s inspection procedures are recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) . GenQuest is audited by ANAB to ISO/IEC 17025 standards for the forensic DNA testing performed at our laboratory. Texas Forensic Science Commission The Texas Forensic Science Commission is an agency of the state of Texas created to strengthen the use of forensic science in criminal investigations and courts. The FSC promotes the development of professional standards and training, and investigates allegations of professional negligence or misconduct that would substantially affect the integrity of the results of a forensic analysis conducted by an accredited laboratory, facility or entity. These entities may report professional negligence or misconduct to the FSC for investigation. Accreditation by the Texas FSC is a predicate to the admission of the forensic analysis of physical evidence and expert testimony relating to the evidence in a criminal case. Based on the ANAB accreditation status of the laboratory, GenQuest has been granted full FSC Accreditation by the FSC Accreditation Program Administrator for the discipline of Biology/DNA. Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) regulations include federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities or sites that test human specimens for health assessment or to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease. GenQuest obtained CLIA certification in 2015.
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