“It is quality rather than quantity that counts”
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (8 BC-AD 65)

Katherine Beagan received her Bachelor degree in Biology and a minor in Forensic Science from the University of Rhode Island and her Associate degree in Applied Science from CCRI in Clinical Laboratory Science MLT. Katherine has worked at the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory in preparation of accreditation since 2004 as Quality Assurance Technician/Technical Writer and as the Quality Assurance Officer, Criminalist I, since 2008. In addition to having twenty -five years experience in Clinical Laboratory Science, Katherine has gained expertise in various areas of forensic quality assurance through courses and workshops taken from the FBI, URI, Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists, and Association of Forensic Quality Managers. She is a member of NEAFS - Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists, AFQAM - Association of Forensic Quality Managers, RICA - Rhode Island Criminalists Association, and ASCP - American Society for Clinical Pathologists.

On April 9, 2007, the RISCL became the first multi-disciplinary laboratory in New England to earn the designation of International Accreditation, ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Forensic Requirements for Accreditation (FRA). As Quality Assurance Officer, Katherine works cooperatively with the Quality Manager and Director in coordinating and maintaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. In addition to receiving and returning evidence, the Quality Assurance Officer performs administrative reviews of laboratory analytical reports, coordinates and conducts periodic audits, and administers the RICA Internship/Volunteer Program.