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SWGDAM Mission Statement

 

The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods, known as SWGDAM, serves as a forum to discuss, share, and evaluate forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and research to enhance forensic biology services as well as provide recommendations to the FBI Director on quality assurance standards for forensic DNA analysis.

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About SWGDAM

 

SWGDAM is currently comprised of dedicated forensic scientists, from international, federal, state and local forensic DNA laboratories as well as guests representing academia and other Federal agencies. These forensic scientists serve as the DNA technical leaders or Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Administrators for their laboratories, and are able to offer the perspectives of practitioners in the areas of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA technologies. SWGDAM is also fortunate to have invited guests attend each meeting representing academia, other Federal laboratories and international agencies to provide their specific expertise in areas such as mitochondrial DNA, population genetics, statistics, and YSTRs.

The responsibilities of SWGDAM are: (1) to recommend revisions, as necessary, to the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories; (2) to serve as a forum to discuss, share, and evaluate forensic biology methods, protocols, training, and research to enhance forensic biology services; and (3) to recommend and conduct research to develop and/or validate forensic biology methods. We hold semi-annual meetings in January and July and our Committees meet more frequently as issues arise.

Updates

New Fillable Word Versions of the 2020 QAS Audit Documents!!! Please click here for the new Word fillable versions of both the FBI Quality Assurance Standards Audit for DNA Databasing Laboratories, Effective July 1, 2020 and the FBI Quality Assurance Standards Audit for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, Effective July 1, 2020.  The content of the new Word versions of the audit documents are the same as the existing pdf versions and are being made available simply to provide auditors a choice of options based on their preference for one format or the other.

Presentation on QAS Guidance Document Revisions (To Be Effective January 1, 2023)!!! Please click here for a presentation introducing the 2023 revisions to the QAS Guidance Document.  These revisions were explained at the recent 2022 SWGDAM Update Meeting held virtually in concert with the 28th Annual National CODIS Conference and 2022 Technical Leader Summit.  This presentation is being provided in advance to share these revisions more broadly in anticipation of its upcoming publication with an effective date of January 1, 2023.

Upcoming Meetings

SWGDAM Regular Meeting

Jan 9 - 11, 2024

SWGDAM Regular Meeting

July 16- 18, 2024

Past Meetings

SWGDAM Regular Meeting

July 18 - 20, 2023

SWGDAM July 2023 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting (virtual)

January 9 - 12, 2023

SWGDAM January 2023 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting
January 11-13, 2022

SWGDAM January 2022 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting (Virtual)

July 18-21, 2022

SWGDAM July 2022 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting
July 13-15, 2021
SWGDAM July 2021 Semi-Annual Report
SWGDAM Regular Meeting
January 12-14, 2021
SWGDAM January 2021 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Virtual Regular Meeting
July 7 - 9, 2020
SWGDAM July 2020 Semi-Annual Report

 

SWGDAM Regular Meeting
January 7-9, 2020

SWGDAM January 2020 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting

July 9-11, 2019

SWGDAM July 2019 Semi-Annual Report

SWGDAM Regular Meeting
January 8-10, 2019

Cancelled due to the Federal Government Shutdown

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