GKA Investigations Group, a fire investigation firm that works with insurers and insurance specialist law firms in Australia, has received a globally-recognised certification for its new specialist in-house forensic laboratory.

The accreditation was granted by the National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA) in recognition of the standards the laboratory adheres to.

Greg Kelly, CEO at GKA Investigations Group, said the NATA certification is a “credit” to the work of their expert analysts and “gives clients added assurance that they can have complete confidence” in the firm's processes and results.

“A national service, we are able to provide prompt analysis and results in less than a week, or faster, if necessary,” Kelly said.

Forensic samples taken from fire examination sites are sent to the lab's safe and controlled environment, and tested for the presence of ignitable liquids or other suspicious materials, using gas chromatography and mass spectral detection, with results available often months after the event.

“As many forensic samples assessed at the lab constitute court evidence, standards are stringently adhered to, ensuring integrity, whilst chain of custody procedures and the analysts capability to testify in court add to a comprehensive service,” GKA Investigations said in a statement.