Costa Rica: ICITAP-Supported Department of Forensic Sciences Receives 2023 FORESIGHT Maximus Award

On May 3, Costa Rica’s Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) within the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) was recognized as a recipient of the 2023 FORESIGHT Maximus Award by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) at their annual symposium. This prestigious distinction is awarded to labs demonstrating a minimum of 90% or better peak efficiency, and 2023 marks the fifth year that the Costa Rica DFS has received this honor. The laboratory received Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training in 2018 as part of ICITAP support following their achievement of international accreditation to mitigate the quality versus timeliness challenge.  As a result of the training, DFS reduced the backlog of cases in the laboratory more than 90 days by 95%.  DFS’s implementation of the LSS strategy has allowed them to achieve the level of efficiency necessary to win this award. The OIJ DFS serves as a regional role model for Central America and has not only assisted other ICITAP programs worldwide in achieving accreditation and developing laboratory operations but has consistently demonstrated their dedication to improving their service as a forensic provider through projects focused on efficiency and program management. ICITAP works in Central America in partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).