1

Forensic Science Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements, November 2018

Updated based on discussion at the Forensic Science TWG meeting held November 14 and 15, 2018.

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

A portable minimally-/non-destructive method to 

quickly detect and locate biological materials for DNA 

testing.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

The ability to detect and locate sufficient biological 

material (e.g., epithelial cells, extracellular DNA, etc.) 

associated with touched or worn objects, that is not 

visible to the eye or with alternate light sources, for 

downstream DNA analysis.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

The ability to differentiate, physically separate, and 

selectively analyze DNA and/or cells from multiple 

donors or multiple tissue/cell types contributing to 

mixtures, with minimal or no sample loss.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Optimization of DNA evidence collection techniques 

and/or devices that also maximizes recovery of DNA 

from the collection substrate.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

A more efficient and better workflow for collection and 

processing of rape kits.

X X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Best extraction methods for optimal recovery of DNA 

from different sample types amendable to 

downstream analysis. (e.g. what methods work best 

with what sample types).

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Minimally-/Non-Destructive rapid screening, to 

characterize sample/stain, based on factors about the 

contributors such as gender, number, and proportion 

of contribution, for DNA analysis.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA
2

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Forensic application of genetic testing approaches that 

are not currently/typically used in forensic 

laboratories.

X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

The ability to link a DNA profile to a particular 

biological fluid or cell type or other information such as 

age of stain, phenotype, gender, etc.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Better understanding of advanced approaches to 

removing steps from typical DNA processing workflow 

(i.e., assessment of DNA typing results following direct 

amplification of biological evidence and/or DNA 

samples extracted from evidence). 

X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Increase knowledge in how to estimate the number of 

contributors, based solely on the data with no 

hypothesis input requirement from the user.

X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Expert System for Forensic Evidence Analysis (including 

mixtures).

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Innovation, new development, validation and/or 

evaluation of free and open software tools for mixture 

interpretation of casework samples for autosomal STRs 

typed by capillary electrophoresis methods.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Develop mixture interpretation software for DNA 

sequence based testing

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Knowledge, statistical algorithms, and ultimately a 

probabilistic haplotyping tool for mixture 

interpretation of lineage markers (e.g., Y-STR, mtDNA).

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA
3

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Better characterization of existing databases and 

further development of population data of forensically 

relevant genetic markers (e.g., SNPs, Y-STRs, whole 

genome mtDNA, X-STRs, autosomal STR sequence 

data), to include populations that are currently 

underrepresented in existing databases.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Better understanding and characterization of linkage 

issues in combining alternative markers and traditional 

autosomal markers for forensic applications including 

identification and/or kinship determination.

X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Software that performs comparisons between 

unknown samples and reference database in an effort 

to identify potential family relationships using multiple 

marker systems. (e.g., Y-STRs, SNPs, X-STRs, auSTRs, 

mtDNA, etc.)

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Objectively generated knowledge and understanding 

to assist the assessment of the significance of finding a 

DNA profile that might inform mathematical/statistical 

methods to address activity level.

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Studies to determine best practices for distinguishing 

and/or interpreting related individuals in DNA mixtures 

when using probabilistic genotyping software 

programs.

X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Better understanding of the impact of single vs 

replicate amplifications of low level DNA samples on 

data interpretation using probalistic genotyping 

approaches.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Age determination of stains (time since deposition). X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA
4

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Increase in the success rate of obtaining forensic 

quality data from compromised (damaged) DNA 

evidence.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Increased information about the discriminatory power 

and alternate applications of genomic analysis (e.g., 

metagenomics) of biological materials other than 

human sources (e.g. microbiome, plants, animals) for 

forensic science.

X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Better foundational knowledge and understanding of 

practical utility for methods/tools for the 

determination of phenotypic information (e.g., hair 

color, pigmentation, eye color, cranial/face structure, 

height, age, etc.)

X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Identical twin differentiation. X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Determination of the practicality and potential 

implementation impacts for computational models 

linking CODIS to current genealogical databases.

X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Development of forensic genealogy testing procedures 

for use by crime laboratories.

X X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Increased knowledge, best practices, and solutions to 

detect, reduce, and eliminate laboratory 

contamination.

X X X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

IT solutions (e.g., machine learning based), systems, 

and/or tools to improve laboratory efficiency (e.g., 

managing QC data, automated data flow, and 

management, etc.)

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA
5

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Comprehensive, Systematic, Well Controlled Studies 

that provide both foundational knowledge and 

practical data about “touch evidence”, DNA transfer 

and persistence in the real world, and best practices 

for interpretation.

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Better and more affordable materials to reduce DNA 

loss/damage during transfer/storage. Increased 

knowledge & understanding of stability of DNA or 

other biological materials during storage

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Ethical and policy considerations for the investigative 

use of personal information determined by high 

resolution DNA analysis. 

X X X Forensic Biology 

/ DNA

Error rate studies on qualitative analysis (single tests 

and schemes). The conclusion of such a study will also 

explain its limitations. X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Research into scientifically-based acceptance criteria of 

analytical data generated in case samples. The 

effectiveness of this study could be improved if 

performed in conjunction with the study for error rate 

on qualitative analysis (single tests and schemes).

X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Process optimization regarding scene evaluation, 

evidence collection and handling, submission 

acceptance criteria, analysis, data management, and 

reporting.

X X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Research and data collection to gain a better 

understanding of the relevance of isomers of novel 

psychoactive substances, such as (but not limited to)

synthetic opioids, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, and 

substituted cathinones.

X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology
6

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Evaluation of occupational stress and detrimental 

effect on forensic labs staff and on work quality. X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Improved, broader, more representative proficiency 

testing to include some blind testing. X X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Limber, configurable, cost-effective laboratory 

information (data) management systems and/or addon components/modules. X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Access to methods/SOPs/validation plans/peerreviewed literature for use in identifying compounds of 

forensic interest. X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Continued advancement of practical forensic 

application/development of emerging or current 

instrumentation (e.g., microspectrophotometer, using 

the second derivative, thermal analysis coupled with 

FTIR or GC-MS, TOF/QTOF). A clear case should be 

made for how new technology either does something 

that current technology cannot, or is an improvement 

over current technology (more sensitive, faster, more 

cost effective, etc.).

X X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology

Retrospective evaluation of corrective actions in 

routine casework to include proficiency testing. X X

Controlled 

Substances and 

Forensic 

Toxicology
7

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Research to establish validated methods for THC 

quantity in plant materials, edibles, extracts, etc. that 

accounts for the moisture content of the plant.

X

Controlled 

Substances

Research to establish consensus basis for reporting 

scheduling status of drugs in legally complex scenarios 

(novel psychoactive substances, “class” laws, 

controlled substance analogs) and improved 

collaboration and dissemination of scheduling actions 

on local, state, and federal levels.

X X

Controlled 

Substances

Research on interpretation of scientific report language 

by non-scientists stakeholders. A glossary of terms to 

clarify commonly misunderstood words and phrases, 

e.g. identification uncertainty versus misidentification, 

to improve written communication with stakeholders.

X X X

Controlled 

Substances

Research into most efficient scheme/process for 

processing evidence.

X X

Controlled 

Substances

Discriminating power between closely related analytes 

using only GC/MS, for at least Schedule 1 and 2 drugs. X X X

Controlled 

Substances

Evaluation of efficient methods of triaging cases and 

successful case management agreements among labs 

and customer stakeholders.

X X

Controlled 

Substances

A correction algorithm to allow comparison of spectra 

across instruments. Such an algorithm would correlate 

a reference standard to a library standard.

X X X

Controlled 

Substances

Research on the correlation of blood and oral fluid 

values, particularly in regards to DUID interpretation 

and postmortem, with an emphasis on studies 

pertaining to pharmacokinetics and 

pharmacodynamics of drug partitioning into oral fluid.

X

Forensic 

Toxicology
8

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Research on pre-analytic artifacts such as postmortem 

redistribution, site dependence, contamination, poor 

sampling, etc. 

X X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Improved collaboration and dissemination between 

pathologists and toxicologists, including training on 

sample taking and recording.

X X

Forensic 

Toxicology

A sufficient quantity of new pharmaceutical and 

emerging illicit substance reference materials (to 

include quantitative samples) for use in forensic labs 

(to include parent drugs and metabolites).

X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Forensically-relevant approaches for statistical 

interpretation of evidence (e.g. postmortem toxicology 

levels) to provide a better understanding of the value 

of the data.

X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Nationwide evaluation of administrative testing 

scheme policies for medical examiner/coroner offices. X X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Research to examine drug levels pre- and postembalming to improve assessment of cause of death if 

toxicology is not completed prior to embalming.

X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Research to determine the prevalence of DFC drugs in 

actual casework from adjudicated cases.

X

Forensic 

Toxicology

Scientific foundations for the evaluation of forensic 

evidence in support of expert conclusions

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Development and validation of standardized forensic 

methods and conclusions

X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence
9

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Determination of accuracy and reliability of forensic 

analyses and conclusions, including potential sources 

of error

X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Practical statistical approaches for the interpretation of 

forensic evidence

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of the effectiveness of varied types of 

review and/or verification of casework

X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of qualified language of association, along 

the continuum from investigative leads to definitive 

conclusions

X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Novel and/or improved evidence recognition, 

collection, and visualization tools and analytical 

instrumentation for field and lab use

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Evaluation of the effects of inter- and intra-disciplinary 

sequential evidence processing and analytical methods

X X X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Determination of the optimal content and frequency of 

proficiency tests to evaluate performance and mitigate 

risk

X X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence

Understanding of the cognitive processes involved in 

pattern recognition as applied to forensic comparative 

analysis 

X

Impression & 

Pattern/

Trace Evidence
10

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Quantitative methods of analysis to augment visual 

trace evidence examinations

X X X Trace Evidence

Comprehensive evaluation of the detection and utility 

of organic gunshot primer residue

X X X X Trace Evidence

Fundamental understanding of how environmental 

factors can affect trace evidence

X Trace Evidence

Construction of new and updating of existing 

databases with properties of manufactured materials

X Trace Evidence

Identification and characterization of nanomaterials in 

evidentiary materials

X X Trace Evidence

Reliable methods to classify spatter stains X X X

Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Fundamental understanding of droplet formation, 

droplet trajectory and the resultant formation of 

bloodstain patterns

X X

Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Understanding of the interaction of blood with fabrics 

and textiles

X

Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Standardized procedures for collecting, preserving and 

analyzing building system electronic data

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Understanding of the effect of materials properties on 

the development and interpretation of fire patterns

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Understanding of the creation and obscuration of fire 

patterns due to ventilation effects

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Evaluation of methods for origin and cause 

determination

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Field and laboratory techniques for the quantitative 

measurement of fire patterns

X X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Tools for fire investigators to evaluate the effects of 

fuel characteristics on the growth and spread of fires

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation
11

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Characterization of electrical system response as a 

means to study fire progression

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Adequate materials property data inputs for accurate 

computer fire models

X X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Evaluation of incident heat flux profiles to walls and 

neighboring items in support of fire model validation

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Repeatability and reproducibility of test measurements 

of large-scale structure fires

X

Fire & Arson 

Investigation

Evaluation of the probative value of general wear on 

outsoles during footwear examinations

X Footwear

Determination of relevant populations for the 

interpretation of class associations in footwear/tire 

impression evidence

X X Footwear/Tire 

Tread

Evaluation of Schallamach features in footwear 

outsoles and their utility for source determination

X Footwear

Algorithms for automated searching of make and 

model of crime scene footwear or tire impressions 

within a database of known footwear outsole or tire 

tread patterns

X X X Footwear/Tire 

Tread

Understanding of the relationship between 

manufacturing techniques and the resultant features 

used for outsole comparisons

X X Footwear

Understanding of the morphological variability of the 

shape of the foot and the resulting shoeless impression 

[barefoot and socked]

X Footwear

Understanding of the variability of dimensional 

characteristics that occur during the replication of 

impressions

X X Footwear/Tire 

Tread

Reference collection databases of handwriting 

samples, copybook curricula, and typewriter and 

computer font styles

X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Quantitative assessment of intra- and inter-person 

handwriting and handprinting variation

X X X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination
12

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Assessment of the comparability of different forms of 

writing from individuals (e.g., initials, signatures, 

handwriting, hand printing, foreign writing)

X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Understanding of the kinematics of handwriting and 

digitally captured signatures

X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Comparative evaluation of automated handwriting 

identification systems.

X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Evaluation of the effects of training and certification on 

the accuracy of conclusions

X X

Forensic 

Document 

Examination

Optimal methods and materials for the preservation, 

visualization, recovery and comparison of tool marks in 

cartilage and bone

X X X

Tool Marks/ 

Forensic 

Pathology/ 

Forensic 

Anthropology

Source attribution of drug tablets using manufacturing 

tool marks

X X X X

Tool Marks/ 

Controlled

Substances

Enhanced, and cost-effective, 

development/improvement of technologies and 

capabilities for visualizing and imaging evidence at the 

scene.

X X X

Crime Scene 

Examination

Difficulty in determining the cause and manner of 

death of infants and children, distingushing between 

natural, undetermined, accidental and non-accidental -

in sudden fatal events to include traumatic injury 

versus sudden non-traumatic causes of death, e.g. 

channelopathies, genetic disease, metabolic disorders, 

etc.

X

Forensic 

Pathology
13

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Enhancement of unidentified decedent system(s) with 

weighting capability for antemortem and postmortem 

comparisons with the goal of providing a ranked list of 

“best matches” to effectively and efficiently identify 

potential candidates or hits. Current human 

identification systems could be improved to more 

efficiently and effectively identify potential candidates 

or hits.

X X

Forensic 

Anthropology,

Forensic 

Pathology,

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Potential loss of forensic evidence due to decedent 

recovery, transport and handling from scene to 

morgue. What evidence is being lost by performing 

evidence recovery prior to removal from the scene?

X X X

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

The lack of effective biometric capture techniques and 

devices for the digital acquisition of decedent data. 

Effective technologies do exist for biometric capture 

for living persons, but not decedents, including 

decedents exhibiting various postmortem artifacts. 

X X X X

Forensic 

Pathology, 

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Unknown how well estimation of biological profile 

correlates with genetic markers. There is a need for 

studies to determine correlation of phenotypic, 

ancestral, and other genetic markers, to the forensic 

biological profile assessment of human remains.

X

Forensic 

Anthropology

Further research studies on force measurement, 

fracture mechanics and modeling of injuries ( to 

include hard tissue and soft tissue) to improve 

accuracy of trauma analysis and quantify error rates 

associated with trauma interpretation.

X

Forensic 

Pathology, 

Forensic 

Anthropology

Difficulty in determining precise time since death.

Further studies of innovative methods or technologies 

to determine precise time since death.

X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology,

Forensic 

Pathology,

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations
14

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Difficulty in detecting subtle injuries (e.g. deep tissue 

bruising) on bodies, both living and deceased. X X X

Forensic 

Pathology

Advanced imaging technologies in postmortem 

examination are expensive, inaccessible for most 

agencies, and difficult to interpret and require 

specialized expertise. 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, and 

development of standardized protocols.

X X X X

Forensic 

Pathology

Development of a multidisciplinary statistical model, 

for example, likelihood ratio, for use in personal 

identification, based on population frequencies of 

traits (anthropological, friction ridge, radiological, 

odontological, pathological, biological, etc) to reduce 

subjectivity in decedent identifications.

X X

Forensic 

Anthropology,

Forensic 

Pathology,

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

Development of novel, improved or enhanced 

presumptive tests (rapid, accurate and nondestructive) 

for evidence analysis and interpretation at the scene. 

Although, presumptive tests exist, there is always an 

opportunity for improved, enhanced or novel tests. 

X X X

Crime Scene 

Examination

Further research on bone healing rates, at the macroand micro-levels, and the quantification of healing rate 

differences by age and by bone element.

X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

What are the consequences of differing levels of 

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. not-autopsy, external exam 

vs. autopsy, and the roles of ancillary tests (toxicology, 

histology, microbiology).

X X X X

Forensic 

Pathology
15

Technology Working Group 

Operational Requirements

Updated November 2018

Scientific 

Research

Technology 

Development

Policy or Protocol 

Development

Assessment & 

Evaluation

Dissemination 

&/or Training

Other

Forensic 

Discipline

Obtaining records for human identification through 

dental comparison. MDI’s cannot find a dentist to 

compare postmortem radiographs for identification 

purposes; nor find the dentist to locate antemortem 

records.

X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

Inability to read through hypoxic artifacts and identify 

traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients who have 

been hypoxic for any period of time.

X

Forensic 

Pathology

Difficulty in locating clandestine graves; inability to use 

current technology effectively.

X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology,

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

There is a lack of training opportunities for 

practitioners, lack of resources, and difficult to retain 

employees to meet caseload demand within the MDI 

community.

X

Forensic 

Anthropology,

Forensic 

Pathology,

Medicolegal 

Death 

Investigations

There is a lack of innovation, and collaboration with 

other science disciplines (particularly outside of the 

forensic science arena), specifically within forensic 

anthropology and forensic pathology.

X X X X X

Forensic 

Anthropology, 

Forensic 

Pathology

There is a lack of information regarding the impact of 

quality assurance processes in forensic pathology. It is 

unclear if quality assurance processes are doing what 

they are intended to do.

X X

Forensic 

Pathology