Taylor and Francis has announced the release of the first issue of its new journal, Forensic Science Policy and Management: An International Journal.
The first issue features an article by Paul Speaker of West Virginia University, which outlines methods that laboratories can use to maximise their productivity.
Speaker investigates a number of metrics that managers can calculate and use to measure laboratories' performance.
He said: 'The suggested metrics permit the laboratory manager to increase cases processed while maintaining quality for the given budget.
'And, those same metrics potentially offer forensic managers the proof they need to support claims for additional resources and/or policy change.' Speaker noted that service industries other than forensic science feel the same pressure to allocate limited resources in ways that increase performance.
He said: 'Managers of crime laboratories face similar problems to issues faced by hospital administrators.' The author borrows techniques from business to create his metrics.
From accounting, he adopts the idea of common-size financial statements to compare laboratories of different sizes.
He also borrows from business finance, using size-adjusted ratios to measure efficiency, quality/risk management, analytical process choices, market conditions, and return on investment.
Speaker advocates the use of metrics to gauge success of forensic laboratories, recognise areas for improvement, and identify potential risk indicators.
However, he said: 'Routine accounting practicing and standardised cost terms have made a slow entry into this industry.' For this reason, Speaker's article is of value to managers of forensic laboratories.
He added: 'This paper bridges the gap and helps managers improve and communicate their performance.'
