1. A. Authority. A licensee may authorize a technical leader to initiate, suspend, and resume a forensic analysis or forensic analyses operations for:

   1. (1) The laboratory, if assigned to the technical leader;
   2. (2) The forensic analysis section or unit of the laboratory assigned to the technical leader; or
   3. (3) An individual in the technical leader’s assigned forensic analysis section or unit of the laboratory.

2. B. A technical leader shall be responsible for:

   1. (1) Selection of the test method, in concert with the laboratory director, that is appropriate, depending on the type of evidence, for forensic use and for reporting forensic analysis results;
   2. (2) Validation of each forensic analysis procedure performed;

   3. (3) Establishing the forensic laboratory’s forensic analysis performance specifications, including:

      1. (a) Precision;
      2. (b) Accuracy; and
      3. (c) Uncertainty of measurement, where applicable;

   4. (4) Maintaining instrument records for:

      1. (a) Calibration;
      2. (b) Validation; and
      3. (c) Maintenance;

   5. (5) Ensuring that:

      1. (a) The performance levels established in §B of this regulation are maintained throughout the entire forensic analysis process:

         1. (i) From initial receipt of the sample or specimen;
         2. (ii) Through testing and examination; and
         3. (iii) Through reporting of the forensic analysis results; and
      2. (b) Forensic analysis results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the forensic analysis system is functioning properly;
   6. (6) Resolving technical problems and ensuring that remedial actions are taken whenever a forensic analysis procedure or system deviates from the forensic laboratory’s established performance specifications; and
   7. (7) Re-evaluating employee performance, before reporting forensic analysis results, to include the use of a new test method or instrumentation when a forensic analysis method or instrumentation changes.

Authority: Health-General Article, Title 17, Subtitle 2A, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 28, 2012 (39:10 Md. R. 660)

Regulation .07B amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 880)

Regulation .14 amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 880)

Regulation .17E amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 880)