Please contact Forensic Assurance to check availability for late purchase tests.
Standard (Static) Proficiency Test Design: $145
Declared Double Blind Proficiency Test Design: $190
Description: Each proficiency test design will include randomly selected neat and/or mixture samples. All tests will contain multiple known contributor samples and multiple samples of unknown stains collected on various substrates. Serological screening of the unknown stains is required, and the results of the serological and DNA analysis will be collected for these tests. The Forensic Biology Proficiency Tests will be distributed four times a year (once per quarter). The distribution of these tests have been structured and scheduled to accommodate laboratories meeting the test frequency requirements of the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS). Click here for more information.
The known contributor samples will be provided on untreated bloodstain cards unless otherwise requested.
Spring 2024 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: October 30, 2023
Distribution: week of March 25, 2024
Answer Submission Deadline: June 24, 2024
Summer 2024 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: March 1, 2024
Distribution: week of July 1, 2024
Answer Submission Deadline: September 30, 2024
Fall 2024 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: March 1, 2024
Distribution: week of September 16, 2024
Answer Submission Deadline: December 16, 2024
Winter 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: November 1, 2024
Distribution: week of January 20, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: April 21, 2025
Spring 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: November 1, 2024
Distribution: week of March 24, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: June 23, 2025
Late Spring 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test (April Distribution)***
Purchase Deadline: November 1, 2024
Distribution: week of April 21, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: June 23, 2025
Summer 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: February 28, 2025
Distribution: week of July 7, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: October 6, 2025
Fall 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: February 28, 2025
Distribution: week of September 15, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
Late Fall 2025 Forensic Biology Proficiency Test (October Distribution)***
Purchase Deadline: February 28, 2025
Distribution: week of October 13, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
***The late Spring 2025 (April Distribution) and late Fall 2025 (October Distribution) proficiency tests are new for 2025. A few things to be aware of when purchasing these tests:
- The same contributors are used in the development of both Spring tests.
- The same contributors are used in the development of both Fall tests.
- The answer submission deadlines for the late Spring 2025 (April Distribution) and the late Fall 2025 (October Distribution) tests are approximately 9 weeks after the tests are distributed rather than the 13 weeks that is allowed for the other distributions.
Standard (Static) Proficiency Test Design: Each forensic practitioner will receive the same test samples as others in their laboratory, with the correct answers being the same. The test will be comprised of some of the same proficiency testing items used in the declared double blind test design, and the samples that are used will be different for every testing cycle. The static proficiency tests will have the same purchase deadlines, distribution dates and answer submission deadlines as the declared double blind test designs.
Declared Double Blind Test Design: Each forensic practitioner will receive a test composed of randomly selected unknown and/or known proficiency testing items, with the correct answers being specific to each test. Participants will be unable to gain information regarding the answers to their test through discussions with others participating in the same testing cycle, or with those administering the test. These blind elements are incorporated into the design of our tests to reduce the effects of bias on testing results. Forensic Assurance proficiency tests are declared (the participant knows that they are taking a test).
Please contact Forensic Assurance to check availability for late purchase tests.