Course Overview
This course explains the role that quality assurance and quality control play in an accredited forensic science laboratory. The requirements and applications of the standards ISO 17025 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories) and CAN-P-1578 (Guidelines for the Accreditation of Forensic Testing Laboratories) are covered. The role and duties of a Quality Assurance Manager within a calibration or testing laboratory are covered. Students undergo numerous practical Quality Assurance activities, including conducting corrective action, continual improvement, and controlling documents and records. In addition, students will conduct an internal audit exercise which includes developing an audit plan and program, gathering audit evidence, conducting interviews, writing an audit report, and conducting an audit meeting.
Prerequisite(s)
- Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$837.40
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the role of quality assurance, quality control and the quality manager in a laboratory setting.
- Identify the components of a laboratory’s Quality Management System.
- Produced controlled documents and records.
- Develop strategies for continual improvement of the laboratory.
- Outline the technical requirements of accredited laboratories including laboratory developed methods, method validation, and maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
- Describe the guidelines for the levels of security required in forensic laboratories.
- Differentiate the qualifications of management and analyst positions for the different forensic science areas.
- Explain the requirements for the reporting of results including test reports, opinions and interpretations.
- Perform a corrective action for a laboratory issue including the cause analysis, report write-up, and monitoring.
- Conduct an internal audit including developing an audit plan and program, gathering audit evidence, conducting interviews, writing audit reports and conducting an audit meeting.
Effective as of Fall 2018
Related Programs
Quality Assurance for Forensic Science (FSCT 8370) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Combined Honours in Biochemistry and Forensic Science
Bachelor of Science Full-time
- Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
Bachelor of Technology Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of FSCT 8370 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 45923
Dates
Sep 10 - Nov 19 Loading
- CRN 45923
- $837.40 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
Henry Wong
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This course will be offered online. There is no class Nov 8, 2026. There is no required textbook. Synchronous online delivery for on Thursday evenings (Sept 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29) from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm (1800-2130). There will be two (2) Sunday classes online Nov 1 and Nov 15 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (0900-1700) (synchronous delivery) and will be co-instructed by Jason Moore. Please note: final exam will be on Thurs Nov 19, 6:00 pm - 9:00 (1800-2100) online.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.