Page 1 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Software tools for mixture interpretation of casework 

samples. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/ 

DNA

Software tools for improving DNA data quality & 

enhancing analyst productivity (e.g. software to 

‘connect’ & automate existing systems).

x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to differentiate, physically separate, and 

selectively analyze DNA and/or cells from multiple 

donors or multiple tissue/cell types contributing to 

mixtures.

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Physical separation of cells: a device or procedure to 

physically separate both cell type and DNA profile. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better methods to physically separate sperm from 

epithelial cells. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to quickly detect biological materials/fluid at a 

crime scene or on evidence taken from a crime scene, 

and simultaneously determine what type of biological 

fluid/cell type with minimal or no destruction of 

evidence sample(s).

x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Optimization of DNA evidence collection techniques 

and/or devices. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased DNA recovery of elution and/or extraction 

methods. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to differentiate and “tag” a cell, identify and 

associate the biological source and other information, 

and follow the “tag” through to profile generation.

x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better materials to reduce DNA loss during 

transfer/storage. Better understanding of stability 

during storage and compatibility of current/new 

consumables/reagents with downstream processing 

methods.

x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 2 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Better information and understanding of what 

processes are being used in the field, specifics of 

workflow and processes throughout the US, and 

potential/observed effects that upstream treatments 

have on downstream DNA analyses.

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Alternate instrumental platform(s) to perform genetic 

typing. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Better methods for quantitation of both single source 

and mixed samples. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Preliminary differentiation to determine most 

probative sample(s) for DNA analysis. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to determine the age of a biological stain. x 

Forensic

Biology/

DNA

Ability to successfully generate DNA profiles from 

forensic type samples in a fully automated sample-inanswer-out system.x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Automated test for definitive confirmation of presence 

of sperm/semen in stains. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to identify biological material that is invisible to 

the eye (with or without aid of alternate light sources), 

having sufficient quantity for downstream DNA 

analysis.

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Novel methods for DNA profiling (including non-PCR 

based methods for performing forensic DNA analysis). x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Reduce or eliminate laboratory contamination. 

Includes method(s) or device(s) to remove 

contaminants from commercial products 

(consumables/reagents).

x x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Studies of the mechanisms involved in DNA damage 

(including elements/metals that interfere with DNA 

analysis), and the development of methods for 

overcoming damage and/or DNA repair (Identification 

of damaged DNA and repair mechanisms).

x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 

3 of 11

Technology Working Group Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Ability to isolate DNA with no or minimal destruction 

to the physical evidence item. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Software tool designed to estimate the number of 

contributors. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

A dynamic PCR system that performs quantitation, 

normalization, and amplification in one instrument 

phase.

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Knowledge and understanding about 

mathematical/statistical methods to assess the 

significance of finding a DNA profile at the activity 

level.

x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

A better sexual assault evidence collection kit (to 

improve rapid rape kit screening and processing). x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to identify the original body fluid/cell type at 

the time of genetic analysis. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Y-STR database coordination and management. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Y-STR mixture interpretation and statistical analysis. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

The ability to determine physical characteristics from 

DNA evidence. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increase in success rate for generating DNA profiles 

from compromised (i.e. damaged) DNA evidence. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Evaluation of Next Generation Sequencing 

technologies for forensic applications. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ethical and policy determination for Next Generation 

Sequencer data. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Tools for mixture interpretation of data produced on 

non-standard genetic markers (e.g., mtDNA, Y 

chromosome markers, X chromosome markers, SNP 

markers, and other non-CODIS markers).

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 4 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Improved sample processing time for DNA analysis of 

questioned samples. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased discriminatory power using genomic 

information other than human DNA (e.g., 

microbiomes).

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Improved ability to resolve cases containing complex 

kinships. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Increased accessibility of mtDNA testing to forensic 

laboratories. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Further development of alternative marker population 

databases (e.g. mtDNA, Y chromosome markers, X 

chromosome markers, SNP markers).

x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Ability to differentiate identical twins. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Automated sperm searching and identification. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Species determination. x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Additional polymerases for improved PCR 

amplification. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Long term storage of DNA extracts. x x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Improved methods for examining minute amounts of 

biological evidence: processing evidence down to the 

single cell.

x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA

Reduce or eliminate PCR artifacts specifically with low 

copy number and complex samples. x x 

Forensic 

Biology/

DNA
Page 5 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

To develop improved procedures and technologies for 

the recovery and selection of evidence. Nationally,

there should be standards for scene processing. All 

investigators should follow the same 

processes/procedures to process scenes nationally.

x x x 

Crime Scene 

Examination

Further research studies to determine cause and 

manner of death in infants and children; distingushing 

between natural, undetermined, accidental and nonaccidental; in sudden fatal events and chronic 

pathology.

x x x 

Forensic 

Pathology

Development of a system (or expansion of current data 

systems) with weighting capability for antemortem and 

postmortem comparisons with the goal of providing a 

ranked list of “best matches” in forensic anthropology 

casework.

x x x 

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Research studies to determine (1) if evidence is or is 

not lost during transport of the body from the scene to 

the morgue, and (2) if evidence is altered during 

transport of the body from the scene to the morgue.

x x x 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Further development of effective biometric (e.g. 

fingerprints and facial recognition) capture techniques 

or devices for decedents, both at the scene and in the 

morgue.

x x x x 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Further studies to update outdated anthropological 

morphometric and growth and development datasets, 

specifically applicable to assessment of biological 

profile.

x x 

Forensic 

Anthropology

Further research studies on force measurement and 

modeling of injuries ( to include bone tissue and soft 

tissue) applicable to infants, children and adults to 

improve accuracy of trauma analysis and quantify error 

rates associated with trauma interpretation.

x 

Forensic 

Pathology
Page 6 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Further studies of innovative, useful and practical 

approaches for precise time since death. The outcome 

is the development of a procedure to precisely 

determine time since death.

x x x 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Enhancement and improvement of imaging 

technologies to document potential evidence at the 

scene and injury (e.g. deep tissue bruising) on bodies,

living and deceased.

x x 

Crime Scene 

Examination, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Further research into the utility of advanced imaging 

technologies in postmortem examination, assessing 

the cost-benefit of the imaging results with the 

financial burden of purchasing such technologies and 

hiring expertise required. Standardized protocols for 

advanced imaging process and interpretation then 

need to be developed.

x x x 

Forensic 

Pathology

Further studies to assess the reliability of bitemark 

analysis and interpretation so that the forensic 

community understands the reliability or limitation(s) 

of bite mark analysis.

x x 

Forensic 

Odontology

Improved methods in locating clandestine graves; 

economical, field portable, and user-friendly devices to 

easily locate clandestine graves. 

x x x 

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

There is a potential for bias in forensic analyses, and 

the forensic community is largely unaware of its impact 

and desires understanding and quantification when 

possible.

x x 

Multidisciplinary 

Forensic 

Disciplines

Development of a likelihood ratio model in personal 

identification, to include fingerprint, dental and 

anthropological data to reduce subjectivity in 

identifications.

x 

Forensic 

Anthropology
Page 7 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Development of methods to determine country of 

origin of unidentified remains. x x x x x 

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Technological developments that allow for rapid, 

accurate and nondestructive preliminary testing at a 

crime scene. Results of this testing have the capability 

to guide the direction of the investigation prior to 

traditional confirmatory laboratory testing. These 

technological developments would provide 

investigative leads while confirmatory results are 

pending. These developments would provide 

immediate lead value to point directly to a suspect or 

to eliminate potential suspects permitting a more 

focused investigation.

x x x x 

Crime Scene 

Examination

Improvement of methods to capture 3-dimensional 

information at the scene and in the lab. Many rapidly 

developing 3-D imaging technologies could enhance 

forensic science purposes (investigations, analyses and 

reconstruction).

x x 

Crime Scene 

Examination

Further research on bone healing rates and the 

quantification of healing rate differences by age 

(infants, subadults, adults, and elderly adults) and by 

location of the fracture(s). 

x 

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Standardized methodologies for bone histological 

techniques to improve assessment of: trauma, age, 

pathology, species of origin (human/nonhuman). 

Furthermore, additional education and training in bone 

histological methods and interpretation for forensic 

applications is needed.

x x x x 

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology
Page 8 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Further research into the effects of not always 

completing a full postmortem investigation. Is there an 

unknown error rate in diagnosis of cause and manner 

of death due to the necessity to decide field 

investigation vs. no-field investigation, autopsy vs. notautopsy, external exam vs. autopsy, and the roles of 

ancillary tests (toxicology, histology, microbiology), etc.

x x x x 

Forensic 

Pathology

Technological methods of analysis for quantitative 

evaluation of trace evidence. x x x x Trace Evidence

Scientific foundations for the evaluation of evidence in 

support of qualified and definitive conclusions. x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of varied forms of technical review and 

verification of casework. x x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Forensically relevant approaches to the statistical 

interpretation of evidence. x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Characterization of electrical system response to fire. x x 

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Identification and characterization of nanomaterials in 

evidentiary materials. x x x Trace Evidence

Determination of accuracy for addressing error rate 

issues in Daubert. x x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation and validation of the effects of training, 

accreditation and certification on conclusions. x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Repeatability and reproducibility of fire test 

measurement. x x 

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Study of the effects of ventilation on fire damage. x 

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Adequate materials property data inputs for accurate 

computer fire models. x x 

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Statistical analysis of intra- and inter-person 

handwriting variation. x 

Questioned 

Documents

Comparison and validation of emerging microscopical 

3D imaging techniques. x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence
Page 9 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Study of the discrimination power of microscopical hair 

examination combined with mtDNA analysis. x Trace Evidence

Novel and/or improved evidence recognition, 

collection, development tools and instrumentation. x x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of 

sequential processing methods. x x x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Fundamental understanding of how environmental 

factors can affect evidence. x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Research on how blood interacts with fabrics. x 

Blood Pattern 

Analysis

Research on the kinematics of handwriting. x 

Questioned 

Documents

National footwear reference collection database of 

known and crime scene impressions. x Footwear

Toolmarks research on the attribution of illicitly 

manufactured pharmaceutical tablets. x Toolmarks

Evaluation of incident heat flux profiles to walls or 

neighboring items in support of fire model validation. x 

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Construction of new and updating of existing 

databases with properties of new materials. x x Trace Evidence

Comparative evaluation of automated handwriting 

identification systems. x 

Questioned 

Documents

Studies on the morphological variability on the shape 

of the foot and the resulting shoeless impression 

[barefoot and socked].

x Footwear

Research on the cognitive and physiological processes 

involved in pattern recognition as applied to forensic 

identification.

x 

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Methods or techniques for linking printed documents 

to printers. x x 

Questioned 

Documents

Improved discrimination of polymers and polymer 

products. x Trace Evidence

Better dissemination strategies for and/or improved 

access to current research and technology, especially 

SOPs, to avoid duplication of effort in method 

development/problem solving and in house 

validation/verification. 

x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology
Page 10 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Standards/new reference materials for use in forensic 

labs, especially standards for comparison (to include 

parent drugs and metabolites).

x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Research into trends in structure that will lead to 

stability issues (i.e shelf life); including controlled 

substances and/or non-controlled substances 

unintentionally becoming controlled substances. 

x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Guidelines for a communal determination of 

“structural similarity”. Compilation of existing 

pharmacological activity data, as well as research to 

determine the pharmacological activity where it is not 

known.

x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

More effective , faster, more efficient streamlined 

processes in sample detection, collection, handling and 

analysis/interpretation, including research to 

determine source of bottlenecks, as well as to address 

policy matters pertaining to case processing (e.g. 

scientific basis for two orthogonal tests).

x x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Development and application of emerging or current 

instrumentation being applied to method development 

(e.g., microspectrophotometer, using the second 

derivative, thermal analysis coupled with FTIR or GCMS, Fast-GC and 2D-GC). 

x x x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Research into efficiency of case management 

policies/casework (e.g. what are the judicial 

consequences).

x x 

Controlled 

Substances,

Toxicology

Development of best practices for chemical 

identification among emerging technologies. (e.g. 

evaluation of different instrument platforms), including 

analysis of cost effectiveness or other benefit of 

emerging technology.

x x x x 

Controlled 

Substances

Evaluation of techniques for resolution/identification 

of forensically relevant isomers, including 

standardization of criteria to conclude spectra match 

and use of non-MS techniques (Raman, IR).

x x x 

Controlled 

Substances

Standardized/available published methods for 

extraction and quantitation of THC from various 

substrates or materials.

x x 

Controlled 

Substances

Guidelines for: validation of methods, performance of 

SOPs, verification/validation of instruments. x x x 

Controlled 

Substances
Page 11 of 11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated Fall 2014

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or 

Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Uniform understanding in the community of the terms 

validation, performance verification, and method. x x x 

Controlled 

Substances

Better scheduling/legislation regarding emerging 

drugs. x 

Controlled 

Substances

Forensically-relevant approaches for statistical 

interpretation of evidence (e.g. postmortem toxicology 

levels). Data mining of existing data sets.

x Toxicology

Research on correlation of blood and oral fluid values, 

especially in regards to DUID interpretation, including 

differences between point of contact devices and lab 

confirmation.

x x Toxicology

Research to examine drug (esp. prescription drugs) 

levels pre- and post-embalming. x Toxicology

Research correlating DRE findings and toxicology 

results. x Toxicology

Training of sufficient quantity of personnel on 

difficult/non-robust instrumentation. Guidelines for 

call for bids to include specifics of training.

x Toxicology

More robust ‘expert’ interpretation system that can 

automatically review raw data from GC/MS and/or 

LC/MS/MS analysis of toxicology samples to rapidly 

screen and flag those samples that require more 

intensive review by analysts and that ideally would be 

able to automatically calculate quantitative values 

based upon standards included in the same data batch.

x x Toxicology