The Forensic Genetics Laboratory of the University of Bologna Receives European Quality Certification

The Forensic Genetics Laboratory of the University of Bologna has obtained UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation: the European certification that guarantees the accuracy and reliability of procedures, data, and results. This represents an important milestone for Legal Medicine at the University of Bologna, achieved thanks to the contribution of the Department of Legal Studies and the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences.

“This recognition certifies the laboratory’s technical expertise and the quality of its management systems,” confirms Professor Susi Pelotti of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at the University of Bologna and head of the laboratory. “It is an achievement that opens new operational opportunities and strengthens the University’s scientific credibility in a strategic field for justice and public safety”.

As the only university-based forensic genetics facility accredited in Northern Italy, the laboratory is authorised to supply the national DNA database for investigative purposes. With this accreditation, it has therefore established itself as a reference point for the Judicial Authority in combating crime.

“Current technologies make it possible to obtain genetic profiles even from micro-traces, such as those left by mere contact with a surface or collected under fingernails in cases of assault,” says Professor Pelotti. “Thanks to these innovations, forensic genetics is becoming an increasingly powerful tool in support of justice and can become crucial in cases of serial offences, such as violence against women, minors, and vulnerable individuals.”

Over the years, the Forensic Genetics Laboratory of the University of Bologna has built a strong network of international collaborations and has contributed to the education of students in Medicine and Surgery, Law, Biotechnology, and Forensic Biology. Today, research, teaching, and European accreditation stand as a guarantee of the correct and responsible use of these technologies.