Department Of Defense Audit Report - Laboratory Support Services for Environmental Testing - Appendix F: Glossary

Data Validation. A method for ensuring that environmental test results are of known quality. It involves reviewing data against a set of criteria to provide assurance that data is adequate for its intended use.

Double-Blind Performance Evaluation Samples. Samples that are prepared by “spiking” a known concentration of chemicals into a contaminant-free media, such as water or soil. It is submitted as part of a field sample shipment, so that the laboratory is not aware of the concentration levels or that the sample is a performance evaluation.

Laboratory Audits. On-site audits of laboratories designed to identify technical areas that may cause the laboratories to improperly identify or quantify chemicals. Audits normally evaluate a laboratory’s technical expertise, standard operating procedures, facility and equipment sufficiency, and possible sources of sample contamination.

Laboratory Certification. Certificate provided to the laboratory by a regulatory agency (e.g., State or EPA) identifying the type of tests that the laboratory is qualified to perform at a point in time.

Magnetic Tape Audits. Laboratory analyses produce electronic data and the data are often provided on magnetic tapes. By obtaining magnetic tapes (or other electronic data) from a laboratory, audits can be conducted to help determine whether the laboratory is complying with its contract; the integrity of the laboratory’s computer systems; and the appropriateness of any software editing.

Past Performance. The performance of commercial laboratories on environmental test results over a period of time. The current results of environmental tests are compared to past test results to identify unusual changes in the results.

Single-Blind Performance Evaluation Samples. Samples that are prepared by “spiking” a known concentration of chemicals into a contaminant-free media, such as water or soil. The laboratory is aware that the sample is a performance evaluation but does not know the chemical concentration levels.

Split Samples. Samples collected in the field that are divided into two samples. One sample is sent to the commercial laboratory and the other is sent to an independent laboratory. The results from the two laboratories are compared and the differences analyzed.

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