Susan Brooks, Ombudsperson to the NC State Crime Laboratory released a report prepared pursuant to N.C.G.S. 114-62 on June 12, 2024. The full Report is available here. The Report makes no recommendations for the lab’s technical operations, but makes several recommendations in four areas:
- researching the advisability of conducting blind proficiency testing;
- limiting the effects of cognitive bias;
- promoting transparency; and
- collaborating with others who are willing to assist
The Report recognizes that several of these recommendations would require significant resources to implement, but describes some potential benefits of adopting the recommendations. Implementing blind proficiency testing could better test the performance of individual scientists and the effectiveness of the technique being used. Reducing the effects of cognitive bias could take several forms, including limiting exposure to case information that is not necessary to the analysis being conducted, or revealing such information only as needed. Adopting such practices could result in additional trustworthiness to analytical conclusions.
The Report describes several efforts that the State Crime Lab has undertaken to improve transparency, including adding QR codes on scientists’ CVs linking to a testimony feedback survey for court officials and other measures. The Report recommends improving transparency by investigating how to make all quality records available through discovery. Quality records are investigations into any quality issues or unexpected results in the lab. Currently, some quality records are available only under a protective order. Finally, the Report suggests additional collaboration with stakeholders in order to accomplish the recommendations of the Report.
If you’d like to learn more about Susan’s role or contact her about a question or concern you have, more information and her contact info is available here.