Laboratory Accreditations

In pursuit of high quality DNA testing, DDC is accredited for both forensic and paternity testing.

Forensic Accreditations:

ASCLD/LAB-International
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board is the most stringent accreditation program for forensic DNA laboratories. DDC is one of only two private DNA laboratories to achieve this accreditation. Only 10% of laboratories who take the ASCLD/LAB inspection are approved during their first try, and DDC is a member of this elite group.

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
The NYSDOH certification permits laboratories to perform DNA tests on cases originating from New York. NYSDOH rigorously inspects the entire testing service, including processes performed outside the lab, such as chain of custody and patient referrals. DDC is one of the few AABB-accredited laboratories that also possess the prestigious NYSDOH certification, achieving a perfect rating in its past three inspections.

Paternity Testing:

AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks)
The AABB's Parentage Testing Accreditation program is the gold standard for DNA paternity testing laboratories. The program establishes and promotes the highest standards of testing quality and care for patients in all aspects of parentage testing. Most courts and other government agencies require DNA tests to be performed by AABB-accredited laboratories. DDC started receiving AABB accreditation in 1996 and has achieved a perfect, zero-deficiency rating in its past three consecutive inspections by the AABB.

ACLASS Accreditation Services (ISO/IEC 17025)
ACLASS is an international laboratory accreditation organization. Their rigorous inspection procedures are recognized by ILAC, APLAC, and IAAC through the signing of Multilateral Recognition Arrangements. ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard set for ensuring the technical competency of laboratories. ISO/IEC 17025 covers every aspect of laboratory management, ranging from sample preparation to analytical testing proficiency to record keeping and reports.

College of American Pathologists (CAP)
The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own laboratory inspection program. DDC has achieved another perfect rating in its most recent CAP inspection, which examined our general laboratory procedures as well as our excellence in providing molecular diagnostics services.

CAP accreditation also requires laboratories to participate in its Proficiency Testing Program, in which CAP sends samples to the laboratories for DNA testing and evaluates the laboratories' results. Many laboratories participate in this program but do not obtain accreditation, which entails a more rigorous, on-site laboratory inspection. DDC is one of few laboratories that participate in and have perfectly passed both proficiency testing and laboratory accreditation programs.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
The CLIA accreditation issued by the U.S. Department of Health ensures laboratory results are timely, accurate, and reliable. DDC has been accredited by CLIA for over 8 years.