Forensic Science Education Program Course Syllabus

Course Title: Date(s): Type of Course: Course Length: Instructor: Instructor E-Mail:

Introduction to Measurement Uncertainty Available Starting February 9, 2009 On Demand 60 minutes Marc A. LeBeau, Ph.D.

marc.lebeau@ic.fbi.gov

Course Information
Description: In the fields of forensic chemistry and toxicology, we are often asked to calculate critical quantitative values (e.g., mass, concentration, purity, or volume), but until recently, these values have been provided without much regard to how sure we are of those calculated values. Estimating the uncertainty of a critical measurement is a requirement for laboratories seeking and maintaining accreditation under an ISO 17025-based accreditation program. As with many unfamiliar concepts, measurement uncertainty seems to have introduced a new level of anxiety among many forensic scientists. To the layperson, uncertainty may suggest doubt or error. The true intent of estimating uncertainty is to express the level of certainty (or confidence) that can be placed on a given measurement. This course will introduce the concept of measurement uncertainty. A simple eight-step approach that follows the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) will be discussed and demonstrated. While the focus of the lecture will be toward forensic chemistry and toxicology methods, the information will also be useful to those in other disciplines that perform quantitative measurements. Learning Objective: After attending this course, participants will understand the different approaches to estimating the uncertainty associated with quantitative measurements. They will learn how to identify the significant sources of uncertainty in their methods and how their in-house QC data can be used in determining a standard uncertainty. Finally, the attendee will discover the mechanisms of combining the standard uncertainty of their methods uncertainty components, as well as a suggested way of recording and reporting measurement uncertainty. Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions: None. However, one should be aware of the basic principles of statistics and analytical chemistry.

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