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GEDNAP – Proficiency Tests for forensic DNA labs

Organising international DNA profiling proficiency tests

  1. History
  2. Who can apply
  3. Registration for the proficiency test
  4. Submission of DNA test results
  5. Certification of successful laboratories

1. History

The Stain Commission was founded by the German Society for Legal Medicine in the 1980s with the purpose of organising laboratory proficiency testing for stain analysis (Rand et al. 2002, 2004). Later, Prof. Bernd Brinkmann (University of Münster) invented GEDNAP (German DNA Profiling) as term for the DNA Proficiency Test.

Initially designed for German-speaking (and a few Dutch and Scandinavian) laboratories, widespread participation by other nations has made the GEDNAP proficiency tests one of the largest stain-DNA profiling quality control exercises in Europe and possibly internationally.

Successful laboratories receive proficiency certificates.

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2. Who can apply?

Participation in the GEDNAP proficiency tests is open to any laboratory, whether a private institute, university institute or governmental laboratory, from any country worldwide.

Any participant using a substitute or affiliated laboratory is welcome to participate but is not eligible for final certification.

In 2019, more than 200 laboratories from 42 different countries participated in GEDNAP.
There are 2 GEDNAP proficiency tests per year. It is optional to choose one, but it is recommended to participate in both tests.

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3. Registration for the 2023 proficiency test

This 2023 registration deadline is October 02. Please use the on-line registration form.

Anonymity
Each incoming registration is assigned a code number (laboratory number) in chronological order of receipt for that year. This ensures an unbiased treatment of each laboratory, and enables laboratories to maintain anonymity at all stages of the subsequent evaluation process.

4. Submission of DNA test results

The test samples are prepared in the organising laboratory according to the recommendations laid down by international recommendations.

Each participating laboratory receives, by mail, a set of stains, along with documentation necessary for returning the results.

Participants are requested to return the results by the closing deadline of December 04, 2023 to allow the organising laboratory sufficient time to evaluate. All participating laboratories receive their individual result scores.

Laboratories not attending the workshop receive their individual results by mail, after the workshop.

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5. Certification of successful laboratories

A certificate is issued by the organising laboratory, stating that the participating laboratory has successfully passed the proficiency test (e.g., for the specified loci, if applicable).

False results (errors) are explicitly mentioned (“not passed”).

The certificates are completed by the organising laboratory, counter-checked by the Chairman of the GEDNAP Proficiency Test.

Laboratories have the right to appeal at this stage if a typographical error has been made by the organising laboratory. When the certificate is sent out, information to this effect is included in the accompanying letter.