Accreditations

We realize that DNA testing methods evolve at a rapid pace. To ensure top performance, our DNA testing is completed by the laboratory, DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC). DDC participates in several voluntary accreditation programs. These programs verify the reliability of their equipment, the qualifications of laboratory staff, the soundness of their testing methods, and standard operating procedures. The following is our certificate of corporate partnership with DDC, followed by all of DDC’s accreditations.

American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)

The AABB’s Relationship Testing Accreditation program is the international gold standard for DNA paternity testing laboratories. The program establishes and promotes the highest standards of testing quality and care for patients and clients in all aspects of parentage and other relationship testing. Most courts and other government agencies mandate that DNA tests be performed by AABB-accredited laboratories. DDC received its initial AABB accreditation in 1996 and received AABB’s commendable practice recognition in 2004 for our Dual Process™.

ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 (formerly ACLASS)

ANAB is an international laboratory accreditation organization and is signatory of the IAF and IAAC multilateral cooperative arrangements (MLAs). Through the IAF, ILAC, IAAC, and APLAC MRAs/MLAs and the Multilateral Cooperative Accreditation Arrangement, ANAB cooperates with other accreditation bodies around the world ensuring that accredited certificates are recognized nationally and internationally. ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard set for ensuring the technical competency of laboratories and covers every aspect of laboratory management including to name a few, sample preparation, analytical testing proficiency, record keeping and reports.

ASCLD/LAB – International

The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory accreditation board is the most stringent accreditation program for forensic DNA laboratories. DDC has the distinction of receiving accreditation after the first inspection back in 2005—further evidence of our laboratory’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

College of American Pathologists (CAP)

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent that the government’s own laboratory inspection program. DDC has maintained its accreditation under the CAP program since 2004. In addition to on-site laboratory inspection, CAP accreditation requires laboratories to participate in its Proficiency Testing Program in which CAP sends samples to the lab 3 times a year for DNA testing and evaluates the lab’s results. DDC has participated in the proficiency program since 2004 and has had 100% accuracy with the expected relationship interpretation on all surveys.

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

The NYSDOH certification permits laboratories to perform DNA tests on cases originating from New York. The New York State Department of Health rigorously inspects the entire testing service, including processes performed outside the lab such as chain of custody and patient referrals.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

The CLIA accreditation issued by the US Department of Health ensures laboratory results are timely, accurate, and reliable. DDC has been accredited by CLIA for over 19 years.

Standards Council of Canada (SCC)

The SCC is Canada’s national accreditation body. Because SCC accreditation is based on internationally recognized criteria (ISO/IEC 17025:2005), SCC accreditation provides confidence and credibility in both Canada and abroad. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) lists DDC/DNA Diagnostics Center as an approved laboratory, and accepts results from laboratories accredited by SCC. Labs are not required to have a physical presence in Canada to be accredited by SCC, and select laboratories like DDC may carry out DNA analysis and retain personal information outside of Canada.

National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA)

NATA is a national organization that provides the independent assurance of the technical competence of a laboratory meeting stringent international and Australian standards. The NATA accreditation provides a foundation of confidence in DDC’s ability to provide consistently reliable and accurate testing. DDC adheres to both the Australian Family Law Act Regulations 1984 and the international ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Ministry of Justice

The MOJ is a ministerial department that works to protect the public and reduce reoffending while providing a more effective, transparent, and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public in the United Kingdom. DNA Diagnostics Center has been accredited by the Ministry of Justice as a body that may carry out parentage tests directed by the civil courts in England and Wales under Section 20 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969.

ISO 9001

DDC is assessed by three different and independent accrediting organizations, using technical experts in the field, to the ISO/IEC 17025 international standards for the technical competence of calibration and testing labs. In meeting the strict ISO/IEC 17025 standards, the DDC quality management system is also in compliance with the ISO-9001:2000 requirements.