Forensic Laboratory Management: Applying Business Principles

ISBN-13: 9781466556713 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 363 str.

W. Mark Dale; Wendy S. Becker

Opis

New technologies, including DNA and digital databases that can compare known and questioned exemplars, have transformed forensic science and greatly impacted the investigative process. They have also made the work more complicated. Obtaining proper resources to provide quality and timely forensic services is frequently a challenge for forensic managers, who are often promoted from casework duties and must now learn a whole new set of leadership skills. The interdisciplinary and scientific nature of laboratories requires strong leadership ability to manage complex issues, often in adversarial settings. Forensic Laboratory Management: Applying Business Principles provides laboratory managers with business tools that apply the best science to the best evidence in a manner that increases the efficiency and effectiveness of their management decision making. The authors present a performance model with seven recommendations to implement, illustrating how forensic managers can serve as leaders and strategically improve the operation and management in scientific laboratories. Topics include:

• Key business metrics and cost benefit analyses
• Ethical lapses: why they occur, possible motives, and how problems can be prevented
• Forensic training, education, and institutes
• ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation implementation

The book includes case studies simulating a working laboratory in which readers can apply business tools with actual data reinforcing discussion concepts. Each chapter also includes a brief review of current literature of the best management theories and practice. A supplemental DVD supplies two mock trial transcripts and associated case files along with PowerPoint^(r) slides from Dr. George Carmody s workshop on Forensic DNA Statistics and Dr. Doug Lucas s presentation on ethics. "

Recenzje

"Dale’s diverse and extensive forensic laboratory, forensic education, and forensic laboratory quality assurance experience provides excellent insight. …comprehensively covers laboratory management issues in the American crime lab. I intend to use it as a required text in my class. The book touches on nearly all of the aspects that I cover in the class, and does so in a clear and organized fashion."
—F.W. Fochtman, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in Forensic Science Review

Spis treści

Leadership in Forensic Science Laboratories. Origins and Rationale. Description: National Leadership Challenges. Risks, Problems, Barriers: Leadership Challenges in the Lab. Identifying Leadership Challenges: Insight from Forensic Leaders. Behavioral Costing of Human Resources. Lessons Learned and Recommendations: Measures of Efficiency and Effectiveness. Forensic Laboratory Key Business Metrics and Cost–Benefit Analyses. Laboratory Management Performance Model. Law Enforcement Requirements. Costs. Capability. Cost: Efficiency and Effectiveness. Performance. Benchmarks for Best Practices. Basics of Cost–Benefit Analyses. Laboratory Excellence and Ethics: An Essential Association. Douglas Lucas. Why Is Ethical Conduct Important to Forensic Laboratory Management and Staff?. Ethics: What Are They?. Codes of Ethics: What Are They? Who Needs Them?. Examples of Some Ethical Problems. Why Do People Do Such Things?. Some Ethical Challenges and Dilemmas. Forensic Training, Education, and Institutes. Forensic Science Manager Job Requirements. Identifying the Need for Education, Training, and Professional Development. Laboratory Management Performance Model Professional Development Costs. Solution: Academic Institutes for Forensic Science. Advice for Students Considering a Forensic Career. Curricula. Dedicated Facilities. Two Student Cameos. The Capstone: Testimony. Major Academic and Institute Outcomes. Testimony. ISO Accreditation Implementation: A Framework to Implement a Quality Service. Harold Peel and Murray Malcolm. Background: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Accrediting Bodies. Why Consider Accreditation? Advantages and Some Considerations. Terminology. ISO/IEC 17025 (2005): Outline and Comment. Section 4. Preparation and Implementation. Writing Policies and Procedures. Lexicon. Scientific Procedure versus Administrative Procedure. Instructions on How to Develop Procedures. Index.