Forensic science is a complex, high risk, high consequence field spanning the realms of science, justice and the public interest, where system failures can result in catastrophic outcomes for individuals, facilities and entire disciplines. The communication and analysis of critical issues and system failures in high risk fields is not just essential to assure transparency but is a crucial component to inform continuous improvement of the systems and the prevention of future disasters.
For many years the call for transparency with regards to error rates and critical incidents in forensic science has been prevalent from both end users of forensic information and from within the field itself, and yet while other high risk fields, such as aviation and medicine, have developed standardized systems for the classification and communication of critical issues, forensic science has not.
A solution to addressing this could lie within the quality management systems embedded in forensic facilities world-wide, where records of issues detected are documented as standard practice however, differences between forensic agencies in how such issues are recorded and managed makes the sharing of this information challenging. This presentation outlines how a new perspective on the issues detected in forensic science agencies could be the key to unlocking this vital data and how, by using a collaborative, interjurisdictional approach, this vast resource may be utilized to enhance understandings of “error” in forensic science, enable the identification of opportunities for innovation and improvement and ultimately improve trust and integrity in forensic science to support justice outcomes for the community.