Best Practice Recommendations for Internal Validation of Software used in Forensic DNA Laboratories

This best practice recommendation assists a laboratory in designing internal validation studies to evaluate the various software programs used in the forensic DNA laboratory.

This guidance document applies to, but is not limited to the following.

1. Software used as a component, part, or accessory of instrumentation.
2. Software that impacts the chain of custody documentation.
3. Software that impacts the decision process and/or influences conclusions or reporting.
4. Software created by the laboratory to assist with calculations and/or data transfers.