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What is PAS 377 - Product, manufacturing and forensic kit assembly about?
In forensic science, it’s crucial that consumables and forensic kits don’t compromise the integrity of the samples collected or the analytical process. This risks diminishing the reliability of forensic evidence which can increase the risk of investigations being misled, poor judicial outcomes, and even miscarriages of justice. PAS 377:2023 specifies how to maintain the integrity of consumables and forensic kits.
Who is PAS 377 - Product, manufacturing and forensic kit assembly for?
- Manufacturers and assemblers of consumables and kits
- Police forces
- Forensic science laboratories
- Accredited sexual assault referral centres
- Those who buy, sell, use or rely on the performance of consumables used to conduct sampling, preserving, transporting and analysing within the forensic examination workflow
What does PAS 377 - Product, manufacturing and forensic kit assembly cover?
For international use, PAS 377 specifies requirements for:
- Consumables used in the collection, preservation and processing of material for forensic analysis
- The manufacture and storage of these consumables
- The assembly and packaging of forensic kits
The PAS covers:
- Risk assessment
- Product requirements
- Traceability, continuity and integrity
- Consumable manufacture and kit assembly
- Personnel
- Product release
- Quality management
NOTE: PAS 377 is not intended to cover technical product specifications for consumables, although it could be used by manufacturers to assist in developing a technical product specification.
Why should you use PAS 377 - Product, manufacturing and forensic kit assembly?
- It helps prevent consumables and forensic kits from being compromised
- Evidence of compliance can assist end users of consumables and forensic kits with their procurement decisions
- It can provide key stakeholders in the criminal justice and legal systems with assurance and promote confidence in the forensic science process
- It can improve the efficiency with which consumables are produced and forensic kits assembled
What’s new about PAS 377:2023?
This is a revision of PAS 377:2012, which PAS 377:2023 comprehensively updates in the light of the latest scientific and technical advances. The changes include:
- The addition of new sections for risk assessment and kit assembly
- The ‘provision of information to the end user’ replaces and expands the previous clause on ‘product release’
- The drug/metabolite concentration table has been updated
- A new informative annex on quality management