Abstract The admissibility of forensic evidence and related testimony into federal court falls under the expert witness rules of the Federal Rules of Evidence, specifically Rule 702. A 1993 ruling in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals significantly affected this rule. This decision was later used by the Supreme Court to help interpret Rule 702 (General Electric Co. v. Joiner). The rule gives the “trier of fact”—that is, the judge—broad authority to decide the admissibility of forensic testimony and evidence. This has been referred to as a “gatekeeper” role. In 2009, the National Academy of Sciences issued a report on the state of forensic science in the nation, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, commissioned by Congress. The report recommended that an initial focus be “establishing and enforcing best practices for forensic science professionals and laboratories” (National Academy of Sciences 2009, p. 81). It is not surprising that all of the 10 best laboratory practices discussed in this paper are addressed in the widely accepted international standard for analysis laboratories and facilities, ISO-17025: General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. All good laboratories will regard these 10 best practices as well entrenched in their daily laboratory routines. However, an occasional revisit, particularly for non-accredited facilities, has value in the light of the National Academies’ report. Adopting these practices will provide justification that test results are valid. They can provide the key for the gatekeeper to allow test results and testimony into proceedings. Additionally, following these best practices can be a defense as to why a forensic scientist did or did not perform certain testing, thus overcoming TV-Land's “CSI effect” for jurors.