GSR Proficiency Testing Scheme
GSR Proficiency Testing
Since 2010, quo data Gesellschaft für Qualitätsmanagement und Statistik mbH has independently organized and evaluated the annual rounds of the International Proficiency Testing Scheme for the Detection and Classification of Gunshot Residues (GSR Quality Scheme) on behalf of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).
Thereby, quo data Gesellschaft für Qualitätsmanagement und Statistik mbH is actively supported by members of the ENFSI expert working group "Firearms/GSR" as an advisory board.
In the GSR Quality Scheme, specific samples for the detection and classification of typical GSR particles (containing lead, barium and antimony) are prepared synthetically and shipped to the participants who use their laboratory-specific procedure for the automated detection of GSR particles via SEM/EDS according to ASTM E1588.
Based on the composition, location and size of the particles submitted by the participants, the correct detection and classification are evaluated and assessed by quo data Gesellschaft für Qualitätsmanagement und Statistik mbH. Results from previous proficiency testing rounds can be viewed in the archive.
For accredited laboratories that have to attend an annual trace evidence proficiency test, this GSR Quality Scheme is particularly important – currently, there are no equivalent international quality schemes testing the laboratories’ proficiency in detection and classification of GSR.
Since April 2022, this worldwide unique GSR Proficiency Testing Scheme by quo data Gesellschaft für Qualitätsmanagement und Statistik mbH has been accredited by the German accreditation body DAkkS according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010.
The accreditation is valid for the scope listed in the annex of the accreditation certificate D-EP-21563-01-00. By means of this accreditation, quo data Gesellschaft für Qualitätsmanagement und Statistik mbH fulfils the requirements of ASTM E3255-21 Standard Practice.
The full scope of accreditation can be found in the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 accreditation certificate and it's annex.
GSR2023 - Current information
The GSR2023 PT round was successfully completed. The final report of results as well as the individual certificates are now available to the participants electronically.
We would like to cordially thank all laboratories for their participation!
Pre-announcement of GSR2024 PT round
Preparations for next year's PT round have already started, and we are planning to announce the GSR2024 PT round by January 2024. Participants of previous GSR PT rounds will be notified by email, so please check your incoming emails and spam folder for our notification.
If you have not participated in the GSR Proficiency Testing Scheme yet, but would like to take part – state-registered forensic science laboratories and all members of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) are welcome to apply for participation. Please fill in the online application form provided here: https://forensics-pt.quodata.de/pt-participant/lab_applicant/add
If you have any questions regarding the GSR PT scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us using the following email address: forensics-pt@quodata.de.
Further information
As a forensic expert, you might also be interested in our new Proficiency Testing Scheme for the Estimation of Shooting Distance by Chemographical Coloring. Please visit our website https://quodata.de/de/ringversuche/sdd-quality-scheme for more information.
If you have any questions regarding one of our PT schemes in forensics, please do not hesitate to contact us using the following email address: forensics-pt@quodata.de.
Introductory information on proficiency testing in general, available in different languages can be found here:
Online GSR QC Analysis Tool
This web tool enables the automatic evaluation of uploaded quality control measurements of GSR PT samples from the years 2010 to 2023 and the "standard GSR sample" offered by PLANO GmbH.
Once you have imported your data a comprehensive PDF report is created as well as a dynamic chart which provides various selection criteria for a specific evaluation.
Open online tool