Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department Forensic Sciences Laboratory, led by Laboratory Manager Renee Artman, has been granted accreditation under a new international program managed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). This accreditation applies to testing operations carried out in the laboratory, including DNA, firearms and toolmarks, microscopy and general chemical analysis, shoe print comparisons, tire track impressions, toxicology, post mortem toxicology, blood alcohol, and controlled substances.

In a separate action on June 21, 2008, ASCLD/LAB had already accredited the Forensic Sciences Laboratory under the same international program (ISO) with respect to its management of the breath alcohol instruments used throughout the County of Ventura.

Jeff Matson, commander of the Technical Services Bureau stated that the accreditation achieved by the Forensic Laboratory is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of its staff members. “It is a team effort with Renee as the Team Captain.”

“Achieving this prestigious recognition,” Renee Artman said, “demonstrates that the Forensic Sciences Laboratory meets established standards for its operation. The Sheriff’s Laboratory has always provided the highest quality work to our law enforcement agencies, our community, and the entire justice system. The accreditation process is a stamp of approval for the Laboratory’s entire quality system, including its technical procedures, document control processes, and the management system. It is a milestone for us, and I am very proud to be a part of this process. I commend the entire Laboratory staff for their hard work and dedication. It is an exceptional group of employees, who through their thorough knowledge of science and experience help to solve crime and contribute to a safer community.”

To obtain this accreditation, the Laboratory was inspected against more than 400 requirements promulgated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the major standard-setting organization for testing laboratories worldwide. In addition, the Laboratory was inspected against supplemental ASCLD/LAB requirements and more than 100 requirements published by the FBI for DNA testing laboratories.

The on-site inspection occurred during April 7-11and covered both technical and management operations at the Laboratory. Accreditation was granted to the laboratory during the August 2, 2008 ASCLD/LAB Board meeting. In September a representative of ASCLD/LAB will formally present the accreditation certificates to Sheriff Bob Brooks in a ceremony to celebrate this achievement.

Sheriff Bob Brooks is equally proud of the Laboratory’s groundbreaking achievement. When asked about the accreditation, he stated, “Several years ago I challenged our Lab personnel to obtain the highest accreditation available in the industry. Through dedication and commitment to the highest quality standards, they exceeded my expectations by being the first forensic laboratory in the country to receive ASCLAD LAB international accreditation for the breath alcohol calibration program. Now the same international accreditation standards have been obtained for the entire testing laboratory. The people of Ventura County are well served by the excellent work that they do to support our public safety efforts.”