Please contact Forensic Assurance to check availability for late purchase tests.
Standard (Static) Proficiency Test Design: $170
Declared Double Blind Proficiency Test Design: $210
Description: Different tool actions and substrates will be used in the development of the proficiency test items for each of the proficiency testing cycles. Participants will be tested on their ability to properly produce known tool marks, compare known and unknown tool marks, and/or inter-compare unknown tool marks. New tools and heavily worn tools may be used in the development of proficiency test items, and variations in the class features of the tools and tool marks will test the examiner’s proficiency in eliminating incompatible test items.
2025 Tool Marks Identification Proficiency Test
Purchase Deadline: November 1, 2024
Distribution: week of April 21, 2025
Answer Submission Deadline: July 21, 2025
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.