Left to right: Sheriff Bob Brooks, Renee Artman, and John Neuner

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) was formally recognized during the October 7, 2008 session of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The recognition took place as a result of two very significant accomplishments achieved by the Laboratory in 2008. John Neuner, the International Program Manager for ASCLD/LAB, was on hand to make the official presentation of the accreditation certificates to Sheriff Bob Brooks and FSL Manager Renee Artman.

In June of this year, the FSL became the first laboratory in the world to achieve accreditation for its Breath Alcohol Calibrations through ASCLD/LAB- International. The ASCLD/LAB-International accreditation program of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/ Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) is a program the laboratory participated to demonstrate that its technical operations and overall management systems met the over 400 criteria of the ISO/IEC 17025:2005, the 2007 ASCLD/LAB-International Supplemental Requirements for Breath Alcohol Calibration, and the laboratory’s own documented management system.

In August of 2008, the FSL followed up by receiving ASCLD/LAB-International accreditation in the Field of Forensic Science Testing. The FSL was the second full service laboratory in the state to receive this accreditation and the first in the nation to receive International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation for both its testing and breath alcohol calibration programs.

The accreditation validated the FSL’s competency in providing forensic science testing service for breath alcohol, controlled substance, general toxicology, blood/urine alcohol, blood/urine drug, post mortem toxicology, alcohol beverage analysis, nuclear DNA, serological body fluid identification, paint, fiber and textiles, glass, hair, fire debris, general physical and chemical analysis, impression evidence, firearms, toolmarks, physical comparisons and impression evidence.

When asked about the significance of these accomplishments, an obviously proud Artman first acknowledged her highly talented staff and then commented, “The FSL and the Department celebrate this achievement and are committed to continuing in the quest to provide quality state-of-the-art forensic science services to the community we serve. The Laboratory’s goal is to provide service to all law enforcement agencies in a timely manner.”