North Macedonia: ICITAP-Supported Ministry of Interior Forensic Laboratory Successfully Passes ISO Reaccreditation Assessment

On April 30, 2024, assessors from North Macedonia National Institute for Accreditation conducted the annual assessment of the MOI Forensic lab and presented the lab with ISO reaccreditation. The Micro Traces laboratory was accredited for one new method for Gun Shot Residues (GSR) analysis using a Scanning Electromagnetic Microscope. This increased the total number of accredited methods within the MOI Forensic Department labs to eleven. ICITAP supported the department’s reaccreditation endeavor by providing 12 proficiency tests (Handwriting, Toolmarks, Video, Firearms, Explosives, Body Fluids, GSR, DNA and Latent prints). The completion of these tests ensures consistency in laboratory performance and helps maintain reliability through adherence to strict criteria. In furtherance of ICITAP Strategic Objective 5.1, ICITAP continuously supports the North Macedonia MOI Forensic Department by helping them to sustain and upgrade their ISO 17025 laboratory conformity standards. In North Macedonia, ICITAP works with the support of and in coordination with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the U.S. Embassy.