Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts
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Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts This course is provided free of charge and is part of a series designed to teach about DNA and forensic DNA use and analysis. Find this course live, online at: http://dna.gov/training/forensicbiology Up dated: October 8, 2008 PPP RRR EEE SSS III DDD EEE NNN TTT ’’’ SSS DNA III N I T I A T I V E www.DNA.gov About this Course This PDF file has been created from the free, self-paced online course “Crime Scene and DNA Basics for Forensic Analysts.” To learn more and take this and other courses online, go to http://www.dna.gov/training/online-training/ . Most courses are free but you must first register at http://register.dna.gov . If you already are registered for any course on DNA.gov, you may login directly at the course URL, e.g., http://letraining.dna.gov or you can reach the courses by using the URL http://www.dna.gov/training and selecting the “ Login and view your courses” link. Questions? 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Legal Policies and Disclaimers See Legal Policies and Disclaimers for information on Links to Other Web Sites, Copyright Status and Citation and Disclaimer of Liability and Endorsement. Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts Online Training: Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts This course provides information in the two lessons: Laboratory Orientation. Addresses basic procedures, safety requirements, and the laboratory's quality assurance program(s). Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues. An overview of historical and contemporary techniques used to characterize body tissues. Some techniques are still used in the examination of body fluids, while knowledge of others, such as ABO and multi-enzyme systems, is of value if old cases are opened for review. Laboratory Orientation: Introduction Training to become a reporting forensic scientist is rigorous and time consuming. The first steps are to understand basic procedures, safety requirements, and the laboratory's quality assurance program(s). The forensic scientist's job requires accurate record keeping, chain-of-custody documentation, stringent quality control, and data management. Forensic scientists must make sure that • the examination is comprehensive, • appropriate tests are selected, • tests are performed correctly, • interpretation of the data is accurate and thorough, • the written report is correct and easily understood by a non-scientist, • testimony is complete and truthful. Laboratory safety programs are designed to prevent employees or visitors from being subjected to any unusual health or safety risks. Additionally, many safety programs strive to meet the Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) and relevant OSHA or regulatory requirements. Laboratory quality assurance programs are designed to establish and monitor requirements for all work performed by the staff. New analysts must have a basic understanding of the laboratory's quality control requirements for clean techniques, facilities, equipment, and reagents prior to beginning training in specific laboratory methods. Objectives Upon successful completion of this unit of instruction, the student shall have the following: • A basic awareness of safe laboratory practices • A basic competency in general forensic laboratory quality control measures and QA standards related to the following: ♦ laboratory clean techniques 1/32 Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts ♦ facility ♦ equipment ♦ reagents Safety Numerous hazards exist in forensic laboratories. The risks associated with these are reduced or eliminated if proper procedures, practices, and precautions are followed. The documentation of, and adherence to, practices and procedures in a laboratory safety manual is an essential requirement of an effective laboratory safety program. Laboratory safety programs generally include an overall safety manual, chemical hygiene, and bloodborne pathogen plans. Laboratory safety can be addressed through policy, practice, and use of safety equipment. Laboratory safety needs should be evaluated on an ongoing basis to assess the need for policy changes and appropriate safety equipment. Laboratory safety equipment may include, but is not limited to: • Safety Hoods • Respirators • Personal protective equipment (PPE) • Safety showers and eye washes Safety Hoods Laboratory safety hoods are designed to prevent or minimize the escape of air contaminants into the laboratory. Chemical fume hoods provide a safe environment for working with chemicals and can be equipped with various filters that handle different categories of chemicals. Biological safety cabinets are designed to work exclusively with biological materials; they are equipped with HEPA filters (of specific pore size) that prevent the release of biological agents into the surrounding laboratory areas. Respirators Respirators have two primary functions: • to remove contaminants from the air • to supply respirable air from another source Respirators responsible for contamination removal include gas masks that filter out chemicals and particulate respirators that filter out airborne particles. Those respirators that supply respirable air include: • compressed air respirators that provide air from a remote source • self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) that include their own air supply 2/32 Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes: gloves, gowns, lab coats, face shields, masks, and eye protection. Laboratories should define the tasks that require the use of PPE(s). After identifying the tasks that require these types of precautions, the laboratory should provide all of the following: • annual training • necessary PPE(s) • safety program that encourages the usage of PPEs to prevent and/or limit unnecessary biological or chemical exposures. Safety Showers and Eyewash Stations Safety showers and eye wash stations provide on the spot decontamination. It is essential to look beyond the use of goggles, face shields, and other personal protective equipment since accidental chemical exposures can occur even with a well-established safety program. Emergency showers and eyewash stations are a necessary backup to minimize the effects of accidental exposures. The Safety Course is available as a PDF file. Clean Technique Clean techniques refer to laboratory practices employed to reduce the risk of contamination. Clean techniques are employed in the forensic DNA laboratory to prevent the transfer of DNA from analyst to sample, environment to sample, and cross-contamination between samples. Contamination can adversely affect the outcome of a case; therefore, it is essential that the laboratory have procedures in place to limit, recognize, and address contamination. Effective clean techniques procedures assist the laboratory in meeting the QAS 6.1.4, which requires that laboratories have and follow a written procedure for monitoring, cleaning, and decontaminating facilities and equipment. Specific techniques are not delineated by the standards. It is the responsibility of laboratory management to design and implement appropriate clean techniques protocols. Some recommended practices are provided. Read more about the QAS on the FBI Site. Recommended Practices for Clean Technique Work Surfaces and Equipment • Work surfaces should be cleaned before contact with evidence, between evidence items, and after evidence processing is complete. • It is common practice for glassine weigh paper, Kimwipes®, butcher paper, or Benchkote® paper to be placed on the bench top while processing evidence to act as a barrier. The paper should be changed and the bench top cleaned between items. • Centrifuges, thermal cycler, tube racks, pipettes, and any other equipment deemed appropriate should be cleaned before and after each use. • Instruments such as forceps, scissors, scalpels, and tube openers should be cleaned just prior to use. Some laboratories purchase sterile disposable instruments. These should be opened just prior to 3/32 Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts sample processing and discarded after one use. • Cleaning should be done with a 10% bleach solution or a commercially available sterilization reagent such as Cidex® Plus. • After an item or surface is cleaned with bleach it must be rinsed with purified water or alcohol to prevent the build up of sodium hypochlorite crystals. Instruments