Forensic Blood Toxicology (QUARTZ)

"Choose from test materials to suit you - with our forensic blood toxicology proficiency testing scheme"

QUARTZ, the AXIO Forensic Blood Toxicology proficiency testing scheme is aimed at laboratories undertaking forensic toxicology and coroners' work. 

The scheme offers the choice of several test materials comprising blood and urine spiked with drugs and relevant metabolites. Case scenarios provided for interpretation include sudden and suspicious deaths, drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA), impaired driving, and other relevant cases.

Participation in QUARTZ will provide your laboratory with independent performance assessment and confidence that your results are meaningful and accurate. Consistent good performance will allow laboratories to demonstrate the quality of their results to third parties, customers, regulators, and accreditation bodies.

The operation of our QUARTZ scheme is supported by an Advisory Group consisting of members of professional bodies, scheme participants, and others experienced in the field. Test analyses and case scenarios included in the scheme are discussed regularly with the Advisory Group.