The Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory is recognized by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for implementation of quality forensic science standards.

“The BSO crime lab remains committed to being recognized as one of the leading forensic laboratories in the nation, providing high quality, impartial and reliable analysis.  We strive to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers and citizens of Broward County through our commitment to excellence,” said Claudine Carter Pereira, director of BSO’s Crime Laboratory.

Becoming an OSAC registry standards implementer requires adoption of published standards within a crime laboratory’s policies and procedures. Multiple BSO staff members have participated in the standards development process as members of various OSAC subcommittees including Chemistry: Seized Drugs and Toxicology Scientific Area Committee - Seized Drug Subcommittee and the Quality Infrastructure Committee.  

“The Broward County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory is demonstrating its leadership role in quality management by electing to voluntarily implement these nationally recognized forensic science standards. As an early implementer, the crime laboratory is providing additional confidence to the residents of Broward County that they are receiving high quality forensic science services. We congratulate The Broward County Sheriff’s Office on this accomplishment and look forward to continued participation and collaboration with the laboratory,” said John Paul Jones, OSAC program manager with the NIST.

Carter Pereira, who is also a member of the Physics/Pattern Interpretation Scientific Area Committee, Friction Ridge Subcommittee and the Forensic Science Standards Board Quality Task Group adds, “I feel it is of utmost importance that we continue to be involved in the process of standards development and strive as a laboratory to go above and beyond through implementation.” 

BSO's Crime Laboratory is a nationally recognized leader in the forensic science community, as the first sheriff's office crime laboratory to become internationally accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board. BSO’s Forensic Laboratory employs just over 50 staff members, serving the 1.9 million residents of Broward County.