National Accreditation Board
The Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA® -since 1994). The Seized Drugs, Biology, Friction Ridge, and Crime Scene Investigation Units are licensed by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH-since the agency began inspecting forensic laboratories in 2011).
Historically, the Seized Drugs and Biology Units within the Crime Laboratory have been accredited since 2001 by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB®). In 2012, the Seized Drugs and Biology Units achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in Forensic Science Testing through ASCLD/LAB®, which is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. In 2017, ASCLD/LAB® merged with the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB®), and the Forensic Services Section was formed within the Anne Arundel County Police Department. The Forensic Services Section successfully obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in Forensic Testing through ANAB® in 2018. Today, Forensic Services is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited in Forensic Testing to include Seized Drugs, Biology, Friction Ridge, Crime Scene Investigation, and Digital Evidence. Accreditation continues to be issued by ANAB®.