Priority Action Report

Biological Methods

Biology/DNA

Kimberly Murga

February 13, 2017
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Kimberly 

Murga

Las Vegas 

Metropolitan Police 

Department

3 K10140M@lvmpd.com

Vice Chair Margaret 

Sanger

Kentucky State Police 3 Margaret.sanger@ky.gov

Executive 

Secretary

Jason Befus Maryland State 

Police

3 Jason.befus@maryland.gov

2
Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Term Email

1 Caroline Zervos FBI 3 caroline.zervos@ic.fbi.gov

2 Taylor Scott Illinois State Police 3 taylor_scott@isp.state.il.us

3 Melissa Suddeth Florida Department of Law Enforcement 3 MelissaSuddeth@fdle.state.fl.us

4 Peter Vallone NIST 3 peter.vallone@nist.gov

5 Susan Greenspoon Virginia Dept. of Forensic Science 3 Susan.Greenspoon@dfs.Virginia.gov

6 Eugene Lien NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner 3 ELien@ocme.nyc.gov

7 Elisa Wurmbach NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner 3 ewurmbach@ocm.nyc.gov

8 Sean Oliver Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory 3 robert.s.oliver28.ctr@mail.mil

9 Stacy McDonald Dallas County Southwestern Institute of Forensic 

Sciences

3 smcdonald@dallascounty.org

10 Amy McGuckian Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office 3 amy.mcguckiana@pbso.org

11 Amy Jeanguenat BODE Technology 3 amy.jeanguenat@bodetech.com

12 Steven Weitz Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 

Explosives

4 Steven.weitz@atf.gov

13 Daniele Podini The George Washington University 4 podini@gwu.edu

14 Ann Gross MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 4 ann.gross@state.mn.us

15 Debra Glidewell DoD/Defense Forensic Science Center 4 Debra.e.glidewell.civ@mail.mil

16 Bruce McCord Florida International University 4 mccordb@fiu.edu

17 Kristine Kadash Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab 4 kkadash@co.Jefferson.co.us

3
Affiliates

# Name Organization Email

1 Simone Gittelson National Institute of 

Standards and Technology

simone.gittelson@nist.gov

2 Jeffrey Nye State of Michigan 

Department of State Police 

Forensic Science Division

nyej1@michigan.gov

3 David Foran Michigan State University foran@msu.edu

4 Steven Lund National Institute of 

Standards and Technology

steven.lund@nist.gov

5 Craig Nolde Sorenson Forensics CNolde@sorensonforensics.com

4
Discipline Description

Biological Methods

The Biological Methods Subcommittee will 

focus on establishing standards and 

guidelines that support molecular and 

biochemical methods used to analyze 

evidence and reference items.

• This encompasses everything from 

serology through loading samples on a 

Genetic Analyzer. This subcommittee 

does not cover anything related to 

interpretation (serology interpretation or 

DNA interpretation)

5
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC 

Process Working Title of Document

1 SDO Standards for Internal Validation of DNA Analysis 

Methods

2 SDO Standard for Forensic DNA Analysis Training Programs

3 SDO Standard for Training of Forensic DNA Isolation and 

Purification Methods

4 SDO Best Practices for Assessing Educational 

Requirements for Forensic DNA Analysts 

5 SDO Training Standard for Forensic Human mtDNA 

Analysis and Interpretation

6 SDO Standards for the Validation of Serological Methods

6
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #1 

Document Title: Standards for Internal Validation of DNA Analysis Methods

• Scope: This document details general requirements for performing an internal 

validation of all forensic DNA analysis methods within a forensic DNA laboratory.

• Objective/rationale: Internal validation is an integral step in the development and 

implementation of DNA methodologies for use in forensic testing. Internal validation 

provides the opportunity to characterize the strengths and limitations of a methodology 

prior to laboratory implementation, preventing unnecessary loss of valuable evidence. 

The purpose of this document it to provide general standards for the internal validation 

of all forensic DNA analysis methods. 

Task Group Name: Validation and Method Development 

Task Group Chair Name: Steven Weitz

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

steven.weitz@atf.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017

7
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #1

Key Components of Standard:

• Validation Study Requirements 

• Specific studies

• Multi-laboratory study requirements

• Quality Assurance Parameters

• Conformance/documentation requirements

8
Committee Action Plan

Priority Planned Actions Approx. Deadline Assignee

1 Finalize document with OSAC for submission to 

the Academy Standards Board (ASB)

March 2017 Validation Task 

Group

2 Develop standards related to internal and 

developmental validations associated with:

1) DNA Extraction

2) Quantitation

3) STRs with Capillary Electrophoresis

4) High Throughput Sequencing (NGS)

May 2017 Validation Task

Group

3 Present guidelines and standards to 

Subcommittee for review/comments

August 2017 Validation Task

Group

4 Present guidelines and standards to Biology/DNA 

SAC for review/comments

October 2017 Validation Task

Group

Topic 2: Validation and Method Development

9
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #2

• Document Title: Standard for Forensic DNA Analysis Training Programs

• Scope: This standard provides the general requirements for a forensic 

DNA laboratory’s training program in DNA analysis and data 

interpretation.

• Objective/rationale: This standard is intended to be a foundational 

training standard upon which a more specific standards can be created. 

It identifies the key elements of an effective training program that should 

promote highly qualified DNA analysts.

Task Group Name: Education, Training, Competency and 

Certification 

Task Group Chair Name: Kristine Kadash

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kkadash@co.Jefferson.co.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017 10
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #2

Key Components of Standard:

• Personnel

• Competency Testing

• New DNA processing, data interpretation, and statistical analysis methods

• Re-training

• Training Program Content

• Documentation of required portions of the training program

• Administration of the training program

• Competency Test Assessment

• Conformance

11
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #3

• Document Title: Standard for Training of Forensic DNA Isolation and 

Purification Methods

• Scope: This document provides requirements to ensure proper training in the 

approved methods of DNA isolation and purification used within the trainee’s 

forensic DNA laboratory. 

• Objective/rationale: This document identifies the key components of an 

effective DNA isolation and purification training program for Forensic 

Laboratories.

Task Group Name: Education, Training, Competency and 

Certification 

Task Group Chair Name: Kristine Kadash

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kkadash@co.Jefferson.co.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017 12
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #3

Key Components of Standard: 

• Personnel

• Training Program

• Knowledge based components 

• Cell Structure, cell lysis, extraction methods, extraction efficiency

• Technical Components

• Review of protocols, instruction, observation, demonstration, practical 

exercises

• Competency Testing

• Conformance

13
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #4

• Document Title: Best Practices for Assessing Educational Requirements for Forensic 

DNA Analysts 

• Scope: This document contains the key elements that should comprise a course 

intended to satisfy the biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and statistics or 

population genetics coursework.

• Objective/rationale: Based on information provided by quality audits of forensic DNA 

laboratories, this document will serve as a tool to assist DNA technical leaders in 

determining whether a university course with an alternative title satisfies the education 

requirements for Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Statistics or Population 

Genetics coursework. 

Task Group Name: Education, Training, Competency and 

Certification 

Task Group Chair Name: Kristine Kadash

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kkadash@co.Jefferson.co.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017 14
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #4

Key Components of Standard: 

• Definitions of Specific Classes

• Topic Recommendations/Content Requirements for Specific Classes

15
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #5

• Document Title: Training Standard for Forensic Human mtDNA Analysis and 

Interpretation

• Scope: This document provides requirements to ensure proper training in the 

approved methods of mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis used within the trainee’s 

forensic DNA laboratory.

• Objective/rationale: This document identifies the key elements of an effective 

mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis training program that should promote highly 

qualified DNA analysts.

Task Group Name: Education, Training, Competency and 

Certification 

Task Group Chair Name: Kristine Kadash

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kkadash@co.Jefferson.co.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017 16
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #5

Key Components of Standard: 

• Introduction and Foundational Review 

• General Biology, Protocols, Sequence Analysis, Heteroplasmy, 

Inheritance, Interpretation, Population Databases

• Instruction of Methods

• Practical Exercises

• Competency Testing

• Conformance

17
Priority Committee Action Plan Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

1 Finalize 4 documents with OSAC for submission to 

the Academy Standards Board (ASB)

March 2017 Education Task Group

2 Continue work on the following documents in 

progress:

1) Standard for Training of Forensic DNA 

Quantification Methods using Real-time 

PCR 

2) Standard for Training of Forensic STR Typing 

using Capillary Electrophoresis

May 2017 Education Task Group

3 Present guidelines and standards to 

Subcommittee for review/comments

August 2017 Education Task Group

4 Present guidelines and standards to Biology/DNA 

SAC for review/comments

October 2017 Education Task Group

Topic 3: Education/Training/ Competency/Certification (ETCC)

13
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #6

• Document Title: Standards for the Validation of Serological Methods

• Scope: This standard provides general requirements for completing 

developmental and internal validations for forensic serological methods. 

• Objective/rationale: This standard originated due to the need for 

forensic serology specific validation standards. While there are many 

documents on how to perform a validation, prior to this document there 

was not a standards document specific to the validation of forensic 

serological methods.

Task Group Name: Serological Examination of Biological 

Evidence 

Task Group Chair Name: Caroline Zervos

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

caroline.zervos@ic.fbi.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Jan. 2017 19
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority Document #6

Key Components of Standard: 

• Developmental Validation Components

• Internal Validation Components

• Validation Documentation Requirements

20
Committee Action Plan

Priority Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

1 Finalize document with OSAC for 

submission to the Academy Standards 

Board (ASB)

March 2017 Serology Task Group

2 Develop additional standards and 

guidelines related to serology, body 

fluid ID, sample identification and 

collection, and sexual assault kits

May 2017 Serology Task Group

3 Present guidelines and standards to 

Subcommittee for review/comments

August 2017 Serology Task Group

4 Present guidelines and standards to 

Biology/DNA SAC for 

review/comments

October 2017 Serology Task Group

Topic 4: Standards for the Collection and Serological Examination of 

Biological Evidence

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New Task Group: Contamination

Priority Level: High

Description: To develop standards and guidelines associated with 

minimizing and identifying contamination in forensic DNA

Draft Documents Created: First document is in progress

Task Group Chair Name: Margaret Sanger

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Margaret.Sanger@ky.gov

22
Task Group Action Plan

Priority Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

1 Evaluate literature on contamination 

prevention and identification

March, 2017 Contamination Task 

Group

2 Complete draft for subcommittee

evaluation and feedback

April, 2017 Contamination Task 

Group

3 Incorporate feedback and modify 

document as appropriate

June, 2017 Contamination Task 

Group

4 Present document to OSAC for 

feedback

July, 2017 Contamination Task 

Group

Topic 1: Contamination

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Thank You!

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