Forensic Accreditation in European Countries: Current Situation

Povzetek

The article presents the current situation in the field of accreditation of forensic laboratories in European countries according to the standards ISO 17025 and ISO 17020. The importance of the accreditation in forensics is presented through the use of Council Framework Decision 2009/905/JHA (2009) which is connected to the accreditation of forensic laboratories in the member states of the European Union, with the special account on accreditation methods of DNA and dactyloscopy. Actual problems in relation to forensics in European countries are presented also from the view of the organizational position of forensic laboratories. The article includes also a detailed presentation of accreditated forensic methods in European countries, both by the standard ISO 17025 and standard ISO 17020. In conclusion, the goal of accreditation of forensic activities in Europe is presented, i.e. implementation of obligations of the Council of Europe decisions summarized in the European Forensic Sciences 2020 (EFSA 2020).