Mexico: ICITAP Works Continually for Sustainability of Forensic Quality Across Mexico

On February 1, the ICITAP-Mexico mission provided an update on the impact and sustainability of its forensics assistance efforts across the country. For ICITAP-Mexico an integral part of the Forensic Program has always been the creation of quality management systems in forensic laboratories across Mexico.  This has bought about a growing culture of forensic quality, sustained by the training of internal auditors and technical instructors within Mexican laboratories, as well as the creation of a wide base of technical assessors utilized by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). During the course of 2022, ICITAP-Mexico trained 91 internal auditors who now have the skills and knowledge to conduct internal audits in the laboratories within their own states. In addition, as part of the sustainability of the Forensic Program, ICITAP has added another 30 Mexican instructors to the growing list of local instructors who will provide in-service training to new and current personnel in their own laboratories, guaranteeing the continued scientific competence of the experts in each discipline and location. In past years, ICITAP also promoted the INL-funded training of 29 technical auditors, some from ICITAP and other from state and federal labs, and two Mexican lead auditors officially recognized by ANAB. During 2022, these Mexican auditors conducted 44 ANAB technical assessments in various laboratories across Mexico and the United States.  The two lead Mexican auditors recognized by ANAB participated in seven ANAB assessments.  While working to ensure that Mexican Forensic laboratories are working with internationally recognized standards of scientific methods and practices, these national auditors have increased the availability of technical auditors for assessments in Mexico and reduced the cost of accreditations, because they have not needed interpretation or international travel to conduct their assessments for ANAB. In Mexico, ICITAP works with the support of and in coordination with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).