Casablanca (Morocco) – The city of Casablanca witnessed a significant event in the field of security and justice on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, as the National Laboratory for Scientific and Technical Police, under the General Directorate of National Security in Morocco, was awarded the ISO 17025 global quality certificate.
This prestigious certificate was granted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board during a ceremony attended by representatives from public forces, judicial authorities, scientific and academic institutions, as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Morocco.
This achievement crowns the laboratory’s continuous efforts in the field of quality, having obtained the ISO 17024 certificate for the seventh consecutive year. Notably, this year 2024 saw an expansion in the scope of accreditation to include all of the laboratory’s specialties, including forensic biology, forensic chemistry, drug analysis, toxicology, and handwriting verification.
A high-ranking official from the General Directorate of National Security stated: “This achievement reflects our commitment to applying the highest quality standards in the field of scientific policing, which enhances the role of scientific evidence in achieving justice and protecting citizens’ rights.”
It’s worth noting that this accolade comes within the framework of a partnership between the General Directorate of National Security and the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State.
The National Laboratory for Scientific and Technical Police has undergone comprehensive modernization in recent years, including the inauguration of a new headquarters in Casablanca on May 16, 2021, equipped with the latest advanced technologies and equipment.
This step is part of a comprehensive strategy launched by the General Directorate of National Security since 2016 to modernize the scientific and technical police system, aiming to enhance its role in criminal investigations and ensure respect for public rights and freedoms in police work.
Experts anticipate that this achievement will contribute to strengthening Morocco’s capabilities in combating organized crime and emerging crimes, especially those related to modern technology.