ON THE ISSUE OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT IN THE ACTIVITIES OF UKRAINIAN FORENSIC INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The use of international standard ISO / IEC 17025 in forensic institutions of Ukraine is an integral part of the international recognition procedure of the tests (examinations) results that they conduct. In connection with the entry of a new version of the international standard ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 and DSTU ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 into legal force, the issues of meeting new standards requirements have become increasingly relevant. The international standard provides for the use of risk-based thinking and a process approach in any field of activity, including forensic science. When conducting research, practitioners are faced with internal and external factors and various influences that lead to uncertainties in the degree of confidence regarding the examination result. Institutions that will evaluate and manage risks during their activity will have an advantage over other forensic institutions.   The purpose of the article is to review approaches to risk management and assessment, to suggest creating a single documented procedure for the risk management procedure in testing laboratories in the field of forensic science.   The article considers the concepts, basic approaches to risk management and assessment, as well as the authors present the risk management procedure developed by them in the testing laboratory of a forensic institution, which includes the stages of risk management and a risk assessment matrix.   Despite the fact that ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 does not require the development of a documented procedure for risk management, we nevertheless believe that it should be introduced for the effective operation of the testing laboratory. Development of a unified management procedure for managing and accessing risks in forensic activities will increase the results reliability of these activities.