Chemistry/Instrumental Analysis 

Scientific Area Committee

Jose Almirall, Chair
Chemistry/

Instrumental 

Analysis SAC 

Leadership

Jose Almirall, Ph.D. Chair

Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Director, Center for Advanced 

Research in Forensic Science - Florida International University

Vacant, Vice Chair

Chris Taylor, Executive Secretary, Defense Forensic Science Center, U.S. Army 

Criminal Investigation Laboratory

Andrew Bowen, Chair, Geological Materials, U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Susan Seebode Hetzel, Chair, Fire Debris and Explosives Analysis, S-E-A, Ltd

Marc LeBeau, Ph.D., Chair, Toxicology, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Sandra Rodriguez-Cruz, Ph.D., Chair, Seized Drugs, U.S. Drug Enforcement 

Administration

Rodney Simmons, Chair, Gunshot Residue, Wyoming State Crime Laboratory,

Diana Wright, Ph.D., Chair, Materials (Trace), FBI Laboratory

2
Chemistry/

Instrumental 

Analysis SAC 

Members 

and Liaisons

Patrick Buzzini, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University

Carl Chasteen, State of Florida, Division of State Fire Marshall

Stephen Morgan, Ph.D., University of South Carolina

Adam Negrusz, Ph.D., United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc.

Cedric Neumann, Ph.D., South Dakota State University

Scott Oulton, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Ex-Officio Members - Hal Arkes, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of 

Psychology, Ohio State University (HFC)

Vacant, (LRC)

Bruce Houlihan, Director, Orange County Crime Laboratory/Orange 

County Sheriff-Coroner, Representative to Chemistry/Instrumental 

Analysis SAC (QIC)

3
SAC ‘Mission’

Review and Approve

Provide Guidance and Direction

Coordinate overlapping activities

Raise Awareness / Implementation
SAC Mission and Responsibilities

Review and approve 

standards, technical 

reports, and research 

needs

Provide guidance and direction 

to subcommittees (e.g., 

whether a standard should be a 

guide, practice or test method) 

Provide coordination for 

overlapping disciplines 

(i.e., champion development 

of overarching documents)

Raise Awareness and 

Foster implementation of 

Standards 

• Process already exists

• Provide feedback to 

OSAC to improve the 

process

• Use the structure of 

OSAC to interact and 

communicate* 

• Provide high-level goals to 

the subcommittees 

• Provide technical advice to 

assist with SC activities

• Be able to ask the hard 

questions at any stage during 

the entire process

• Advising on fit-for-purpose 

nature of a technique (e.g., 

setting minimum detection 

limits for methods)

• Facilitating development of 

cross-disciplinary standards

• Minimum performance for 

instruments

• Quality (e.g., PT TG)

• Education & Training

• Research (e.g. Technical 

Issues TG)

• Use of statistics and 

interpretation

• Reporting language

• Outreach through formal 

communications and 

information dissemination 

(conferences, publications, 

etc.)

• Identify opportunities for 

implementation

• Champion implementation 

pathways

* D. Kaye, Hypothesis Testing in Law and Forensic Science: A Memorandum, 130, Harvard Law Review, F. 127.
SAC ‘Mission’

Review and Approve

Provide Guidance and Direction

Coordinate overlapping activities

Raise Awareness / Implementation

Recognize existing (SDO) standards and develop new 

standards within the forensic chemistry disciplines:

Seized Drugs - 10 existing ASTM and 7 new standards

Fire Debris and Explosives - 10 existing ASTM and 10 new

Geological Materials – working on 8 new standards

Materials (Trace) - 13 existing ASTM and 9 new 

Gunshot Residue - 1 existing ASTM and 3 new

Toxicology - 15 ASB standards (from 0 in 2016)

Total – 49 existing SDO standards (35 in 2017)

37 (26 in 2017) new standards in SDOs

80+ forensic chemistry standards in SDOs

~ 40 Additional standards in development within the 

Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis subcommittees.

Chemistry SAC Activities 2018-2019
SAC ‘Mission’

Review and Approve

Provide Guidance and Direction

Coordinate overlapping activities

Raise Awareness / Implementation

Research and Development Needs Identified

Seized Drugs - 2 projects identified

Fire Debris and Explosives Analysis - 8 projects identified

Geological Materials - 1 project identified

Materials (Trace) - 6 projects identified

Gunshot Residue - 5 projects identified

Toxicology - 6 projects identified

Total – 28 specific research projects identified by the 

Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis SAC

https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/osac-research-development-needs
Standards 

on the 

Registry

ASTM E1610-18: Standard Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison (Materials 

Trace Subcommittee, June 26, 2018)

ASTM E2926-17: Standard Test Method for Forensic Comparison of Glass Using Micro Xray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) Spectrometry (Materials Trace Subcommittee, July 31, 2017)

ASTM E2927-16e1: Standard Test Method for Determination of Trace Elements in SodaLime Glass Samples Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry 

for Forensic Comparisons (Materials Trace Subcommittee, June 5, 2018)

ASTM E2937-18: Standard Guide for Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint 

Examinations (Materials Trace Subcommittee, June 26, 2018)

ASTM E3085-17: Standard Guide for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic 

Tape Examinations (Materials Trace Subcommittee, September 11, 2018)

ASTM E2329-17: Standard Practice for Identification of Seized Drugs (Seized Drugs 

Subcommittee, August 7, 2018)

ASTM E2548-11e1: Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and 

Quantitative Analysis (Seized Drugs Subcommittee, April 3, 2017)

8
Coming Soon!

9

• ANSI/ASB STD 017: Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in Forensic Toxicology 

(Toxicology Subcommittee, Published 6/2018)

• ANSI/ASB BPR 037: Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology 

(Toxicology Subcommittee, Published 1/2019)
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

Toxicology:

• ANSI/ASB STD 036: Standard Practices for 

Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology

• ANSI/ASB STD 053: Standard for Report Content 

in Forensic Toxicology

• ANSI/ASB STD 054: Standard Practices for a 

Quality Control Program in Forensic Toxicology 

Laboratories

• ANSI/ASB STD 055: Standard for Breath Alcohol 

Measuring Instrument Calibration

• ANSI/ASB STD 098: Standard for Mass Spectral 

Data Acceptance in Forensic Toxicology

10
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

Toxicology:

• ANSI/ASB STD 113: Standard for Identification 

Criteria in Forensic Toxicology

• ANSI/ASB STD 119: Standard for the Analytical 

Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicological 

Testing in Medicolegal Death Investigations

• ANSI/ASB STD 120: Standard for the Analytical 

Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicological 

Testing in Impaired Driving Investigations

• ANSI/ASB STD 121: Standard for the Analytical 

Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Urine 

Testing in Drug-Facilitated Crimes Investigations

11
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

Toxicology:

• Quality Assurance Management Systems in 

Forensic Toxicology Laboratories

• ASB/ANSI STD 056: Standard Practices for 

Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Toxicology

• Standard Practices for Proficiency Testing of 

Forensic Toxicology Laboratories

• Guidelines for Specimen Collection and 

Preservation in Forensic Toxicology

• ANSI/ASB STD 118: Standard for Breath Alcohol 

Instrumentation Specifications

• Standard Practice for the Content of Forensic 

Toxicology Standard Operating Procedures

12
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

Toxicology:

• Standard Practice for the Content of Forensic 

Toxicology Standard Operating Procedures

• ANSI/ASB BPR 122: Guidelines for Ethanol 

Calculations in Forensic Toxicology

• Taxonomy Guidelines in Forensic Toxicology

13
Foundational 

Documents

Toxicology:

• Scientific Working Group for Forensic 

Toxicology (SWGTOX) Standard for Laboratory 

Personnel

• Scientific Working Group for Forensic 

Toxicology (SWGTOX) Standard for Breath 

Alcohol Personnel

14
Research 

Needs

Toxicology:

• Data Analytics in Forensic Toxicology

• Emerging Drugs of Abuse and Therapeutic 

Agents

• Herbal and Dietary Supplements and PlantBased Toxins

• Human Factors Toxicology

• Postmortem Distribution and Redistribution

• The Role and Impact of Pharmacogenetics and 

Pharmacogenomics in Forensic Toxicology

15
Outreach 

Efforts

Toxicology:

• Society of Forensic Toxicologists

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences

• California Association of Toxicologists

• Midwest Association of Forensic Science

• Northeast Association of Forensic Science

• The International Association of Forensic 

Toxicologists (China, Argentina, Brazil, Greece)

• Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Association 

(Australia)

• Health Sciences Authority (Singapore)

16
Quality•ANSI/ASB STD 017: 

Standard Practices for 

Measurement Traceability 

in Forensic Toxicology 

(Published 2018)

•ANSI/ASB STD 036: 

Standard Practices for 

Method Validation in 

Forensic Toxicology 

•ANSI/ASB STD 054: 

Standard Practices for a 

Quality Control Program in 

Forensic Toxicology 

Laboratories

•ANSI/ASB STD 055: 

Standard for Breath 

Alcohol Measuring 

Instrument Calibration

•ANSI/ASB STD XXX: 

Quality Assurance 

Management Systems in 

Forensic Toxicology 

Laboratories

•ANSI/ASB STD 056: 

Standard Practices for 

Measurement Uncertainty 

in Forensic Toxicology 

Personnel•ANSI/ASB XXX: Standard 

Practices for Proficiency 

Testing of Forensic 

Toxicology Laboratories

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Standard 

for Education and Training 

of Forensic Toxicology 

Personnel

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Standard 

for Education and Training 

of Breath Alcohol 

Personnel

Stakeholders•ANSI/ASB XXX: Guidelines 

for Specimen Collection 

and Preservation in 

Forensic Toxicology

•ANSI/ASB 118: Standard 

for Breath Alcohol 

Instrumentation 

Specifications

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Forensic 

Toxicology Guidelines for 

Accrediting and 

Certification Bodies

Applications•ANSI/ASB STD 098: Standard 

for Mass Spectral Data 

Acceptance in Forensic 

Toxicology

•ANSI/ASB STD 120: Standard 

for the Analytical Scope and 

Sensitivity of Forensic 

Toxicology Testing in 

Impaired Driving 

Investigations

• ANSI/ASB STD 121: Standard 

for the Analytical Scope and 

Sensitivity of Forensic 

Toxicology Urine Testing in 

Drug-Facilitated Crimes 

Investigations

•ANSI/ASB STD 119: Standard 

for the Analytical Scope and 

Sensitivity of Forensic 

Toxicological Testing in 

Medicolegal Death 

Investigations

•ANSI/ASB STD 113: Standard 

for Identification Criteria in 

Forensic Toxicology

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Standard 

Practice for the Content of 

Forensic Toxicology Standard 

Operating Procedures

•ANSI/ASB STD 058: Standard 

Method for Blood Ethanol 

Quantitations

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Standard 

Method for Breath Alcohol 

Subject Testing

Report and Testimony•ANSI/ASB BPR 037: 

Guidelines for Opinions 

and Testimony in Forensic 

Toxicology (Published 

2019)

•ANSI/ASB STD 053: 

Standard for Report 

Content in Forensic 

Toxicology

•ANSI/ASB XXX: Taxonomy 

Guidelines in Forensic 

Toxicology

•ANSI/ASB BPR 122: 

Guidelines for Ethanol 

Calculations in Forensic 

Toxicology

Approved for OSAC Registry

Being considered for OSAC Registry

With ASB for Circulation to Public

Under draft by OSAC Toxicology Subcommittee

Not started
18

Guide to ILR

WK64631 E1388

Simple headspace

E1386

Solvent extraction

E1412

Passive headspace

E1413

Dynamic Headspace

WK60820

Headspace with conc

E2881

Veg Oil

E2154

SPME

E2997

Biodiesel Preservation 

E2451

E620 FD Reporting

GCMS

Data Classification

Data Interpretation

Fire Debris 

Analysis

Systematic 

Approach

Extraction

Analysis

Report

Fire Debris Analysis

Doc out of 

our “control”

To be 

determined

Some work 

completed

= Needs Further Research
19

Analytical 

Techniques

Identification 

Requirements

Sample 

Preparation

Post-blast 

Guide

Report 

Writing

Intact Guide

Explosives 

Explosives Analysis

Detail
20

Analytical 

Techniques

PLM

CE

SEM-EDS 

& XRF

TLC & 

Spot Tests

XRD

FTIR

Raman

GC & GC-MS

LC & LC-MS

IC & IC-MS

GC-MS and FTIR 

of Smokeless 

Powder 

E2999

Explosives Analysis

Detail
21

Smokeless Powder

E2998

Black Powder, Substitutes, 

& Fuel Oxidizer Mixtures

RDX, HMX, TNT, PETN, etc. 

(Plastic Bonded Explosives)

Dynamite

Blasting Agents 

(Emulsions, Water Gels, ANFO, 

Slurries, etc.)

Primary Initiating Explosives 

(Including Peroxides)

Identification 

Requirements

Explosives Analysis

Detail
Existing SDO

[ASTM] 

Standards

Fire Debris Related

• E1386 – Sample Prep – Solvent Extraction

• E1388 – Sample Prep – Simple Headspace

• E1412 – Sample Prep – Passive Headspace

• E1413 – Sample Prep – Dynamic Headspace

• E2154 – Sample Prep – SPME

• E1618 – Sample Analysis – Fire Debris by GCMS

• E2997 – Sample Analysis – Biodiesel

• E2451 – Sample Preservation

Many of these have 

been/are being revised by 

the FD&E Subcommittee
Existing SDO

[ASTM] 

Standards 

23

• ASTM E2998 – Characterization – Smokeless 

Powder

• ASTM E2999 – Sample Analysis – Smokeless 

Powder by GCMS and FTIR

Explosives Related
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO [ASTM]

• WK56043 – Terminology

• WK60820 – Sample Prep – Headspace onto an 

Adsorbent Tube

• WK64631 – Guide to Analysis and ID of Ignitable 

Liquids

24

Fire Debris Related
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO [ASTM]

• WK56998 – Terminology

• WK67862 – Exam and ID of Intact Explosives

25

Explosives Related
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

• Reorganization of E1618;

• Guide to GC-[EI]MS

• Classification of Ignitable Liquids

• Interpretation of Ignitable Liquids by GC-MS

• Reporting Results and Opinions

• Training Program

• QA/QC for Fire Debris Laboratories

26

Fire Debris Related
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

27

Explosives Related

• Exam and ID of Post-Blast Explosives 

• Training Program

• Reporting Results and Opinions

• Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Research 

Needs

Fire Debris & Explosives:

• Concentration of Extracts Containing Volatile/Unstable 

Explosives

• Determining the Threshold of Identification for Ignitable 

Liquids

• Evaluation and Comparison of Different 

Adsorption/Elution Methodology

• Identifying Post-blast Residue of Liquid Explosives

• Potential Transformation of Chlorate to Perchlorate and 

Visa-Versa During Explosion

• Research and Evaluation of Storage Conditions for 

Archiving Extracts from Fire Debris Samples

• Source Attribution for Ignitable Liquids from Fire Debris

• Source Attribution for Post-Blast Residues

28
Geological 

Materials

Education/Training - Forensic 

Geo

Terminology

Training - Forensic Soil/Geo

Collection of Soils

Collection of Dust

Collection of Pollen

Analysis of Soil/Geo

Analysis of Color

Fractionation of Soil

Polarized Light Microscopy

X-Ray Diffraction

SEM/EDS

Raman Spectroscopy

X-Ray Fluorescence

Opinions/Testimony FT-IR Spectroscopy = Needs Further Research

= Some Work Completed

(CHEMISTRY / INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS)

ROADMAP FOR GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

• Standard Guide for the Collection of Soils and 

Other Geological Evidence for Forensic 

Applications

• Determination and Comparison of Color by 

Visual Observation in Forensic Soil Examination

30

Drafts of these standards have been pitched to 

the SAC and Resource Committees, and are being 

edited based on comments.
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

31

• Standard Guide for the Analysis of Soils and 

Other Geological Evidence for Criminal Forensic 

Applications

• Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron 

Microscopy for Morphology and Energy 

Dispersive Spectroscopy in Forensic Soil and 

Geological Materials Analysis

• Standard Guide for the Use of Polarized Light 

Microscopy in the Forensic Examination and 

Comparison of Geological Sediments

Drafts of these standards are in progress.
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

32

• Standard Guide for the Analysis of Forensic 

Geologic Materials by powder X-Ray Diffraction

• Standard Guide for Fractionation of Soil in 

Forensic Soil Examinations

• Standard Terminology for Forensic Analysis of 

Soils and Other Geological Materials
Standards in 

Process – Under 

Development

(planned in the 

future)

33

• Standard Practice for Education and Training in 

Forensic Geology

• Standard Practice for a Forensic Soil / Geology 

Training Program

• Standard Guide for Opinions and Testimony in 

Forensic Geology

• Standard Guide for the Collection and Analysis 

of Pollen for Forensic Application
Additional 

Activities

Geological Materials:

• Production of an educational video and other 

training materials related to collection of soil 

evidence at crime scenes is planned for 

September 2019 at the University of Kentucky

34

Research 

Needs

• Transfer and Persistence of Soil Components

• Geographic Variability of Soils in Areas with 

Different Land Use / Different Geologic Settings
Roadmaps

• Materials/Trace roadmaps:

• Overview

• Expansion 1: Paint and Tape related 

documents

• Expansion 2: Glass and Fiber related 

documents

• Expansion 3: Hair and Physical Match 

related documents

35
Materials (Trace) 

Subcommittee Road Map

Training

Standard Practice for a 

Forensic Hair Analysis 

Training Program

Currently being revised

Standard Practice for a 

Forensic Fiber Analysis 

Training Program 

(SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

Standard Practice for a 

Forensic Paint Analysis 

Training Program

Currently being revised

Standard Practice for a 

Forensic Tape Analysis 

Training Program

Currently being revised

Standard Practice for a 

Forensic Glass Analysis 

Training Program 

Currently being developed

Standard Practice for Physical 

Fit Training for Forensic 

Comparisons of Trace 

Materials 

Research

Gap Analysis

Submitted to OSAC

Research Needs 

Continually updating

Paint Examination 

Interpretation Validation 

Study

In process

Review Article on 

Subcommittee Trace 

Disciplines 

In process

Quality

Assurance

Trace Evidence 

Quality Assurance 

Document 

(SWGMAT)

Needs revision

Outreach

Crime Scene Guide

Currently being 

revised

Customer Surveys

Trace Practitioners

Complete

Laboratory 

Management

Complete

Legal Community

In Process

Analysis

Collection & 

Preservation

Trace Evidence 

Recovery Guidelines 

(SWGMAT)

Needs revision

Examination

Paint 

Examination

See Expansion 1

Tape 

Examination

See Expansion 1

Fiber 

Examination

See Expansion 2

Glass Examination

See Expansion 2

Hair Examination

See Expansion 3

Physical Fit 

Examination

See Expansion 3

Interpretation & 

Report Writing

Standard Practice 

for Interpretation 

and Report Writing 

in Forensic 

Comparisons of 

Trace Materials

Currently being 

revised

New standard to develop

Future revision of an existing standard

SDO Process

RA Process

On OSAC Registry

Other Projects

Key:
Paint Examination

General Paint Guideline

E1610 - Standard Guide for Forensic Paint 

Analysis and Comparison

Microscopy of Paint

FTIR

E2937 - Standard Guide for Using Infrared 

Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Examinations 

MSP

E2808 - Standard Guide for 

Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Paint 

Analysis

Currently being revised

SEM/EDS

E2809 - Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron 

Microscopy / X-ray Spectrometry in Forensic 

Polymer Examinations

Currently being revised

PGC-MS

Standard Guide for Using PGC-MS in Forensic 

Polymer Examinations (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Raman

Tape Examination

General Tape Guideline

Standard Guide for Forensic Tape Analysis and Comparison

Currently being developed

Physical Characteristics

Standard Guide for Assessing Physical Characteristics in 

Forensic Tape Examinations (SWGMAT)

Needs revision

Light Microscopy

Standard Guide for Using Light Microscopy in 

Forensic Tape Examinations (SWGMAT)

Needs revision

FTIR

E3805 - Standard Guide for Using FTIR in Forensic 

Tape Examinations

PGC-MS

Standard Guide for Using PGC-MS in Forensic 

Polymer Examinations (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

SEM/EDS

E2809 - Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron 

Microscopy/X-ray Spectrometry in Forensic Polymer 

Examinations

Currently being revised

Materials Road Map, Expansion 1

New standard to develop

Future revision of an existing standard

SDO Process

RA Process

On OSAC Registry

Other Projects

Key:
Glass Examination

General Glass Guideline

Standard Guide for Forensic Glass Analysis and 

Comparison

Currently being revised

Refractive Index

E1967 - Standard Test Method for the 

Automated Determination of RI of Glass 

Samples using Oil Immersion Method and 

Phase Contrast Microscope

Currently being revised

ICP-MS

E2330 - Standard Test Method for 

Determination of Concentrations of 

Elements in Glass Samples using ICPMS for Forensic Comparisons

Currently being revised

LA-ICP-MS

E2927 - Standard Test Method for 

Determination of Trace Elements in 

Soda-Lime Glass using LA-ICP-MS for 

Forensic Comparisons

XRF

E2926 - Standard Test Method for 

Forensic Comparison of Glass Using 

Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) 

Spectrometry

Fiber Examination

Fabrics & Cordage

E2225 - Standard Guide for Forensic 

Examination of Fabrics and Cordage

Currently being revised

General Fiber Guideline

Standard Guide for Forensic Fiber 

Analysis and Comparison (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

Microscopy

E2228 - Standard Guide for Microscopic 

Examination of Textile Fibers

Currently being revised

FTIR

E2224 - Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis 

of Fibers by IR

Currently being revised

TLC

E2227 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of 

Non-reactive Dyes in Textile Fibers by TLC

Currently being revised

MSP

Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Fibers 

by MSP (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

PGC-MS

Standard Guide for Using PGC-MS in 

Forensic Polymer Examinations (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

Materials Road Map, Expansion 2

New standard to develop

Future revision of an existing standard

SDO Process

RA Process

On OSAC Registry

Other Projects

Key:
Hair Examination

Standard Guide for Forensic Human Hair Analysis 

and Comparison (SWGMAT)

Currently being revised

Physical Fit Examination

Standard Guide for Forensic Examinations of 

Physical Fit of Trace Materials

Materials Road Map, Expansion 3

New standard to develop

Future revision of an existing standard

SDO Process

RA Process

On OSAC Registry

Other Projects

Key:
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

40

Standard Practice for a Forensic Hair Examination 

Training Program

Standard Practice for a Forensic Tape Analysis 

Training Program

Standard Practice for a Forensic Paint Analysis 

Training Program

Materials/Trace Training Guides with 

ASTM for approval
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

41

E1967 - Standard Test Method for the Automated 

Determination of Refractive Index of Glass 

Samples Using the Oil Immersion Method and 

Phase Contrast Microscope

E2330 - Standard Test Method for Determination 

of Concentrations of Elements in Glass Samples 

Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass 

Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Forensic Comparisons

Materials/Trace Guides with ASTM pending 

approval of E30 KSA statement
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

42

E2808- Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry 

and Color Measurement in Forensic Paint Analysis

E2224 - Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Fibers 

by Infrared Spectroscopy

E2225 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of 

Fabrics and Cordage

E2228 - Standard Guide for Microscopic Examination 

of Textile Fibers

Materials/Trace Guides with ASTM for 5 year 

review/revision
Existing 

Standards 

being revised 

for SDO

43

E2227 - Standard Guide for the Forensic 

Examination of Non-Reactive Dyes in Textile 

Fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography 

E2809 - Standard Guide for Using Scanning 

Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Spectrometry in 

Forensic Paint Examinations

Materials/Trace Guides being revised
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas 

Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas 

Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Forensic 

Polymer Examinations

Standard Guide for Forensic Tape Analysis and 

Comparison

Standard Practice for Interpretation and Report 

Writing in Forensic Comparisons of Trace Materials

Trace Evidence Field Guide – for crime scene 

personnel for collection of trace evidence

44
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

45

Standard Guide for Forensic Fiber Analysis and 

Comparison

Standard Practice for a Forensic Fiber Analysis 

Training Program

Standard Practice for a Forensic Glass Analysis 

Training Program

Standard Guide for Forensic Glass Analysis and 

Comparison

Standard Guide for The Microscopical Examination of 

Human Hair
Work in 

Progress –

Under 

Development

46

Trace Evidence Field Guide – smart phone app for 

field use

Further development of the road maps scheme 

for the Physical Match Task Group

Completion of a review paper for use with the 

Interpretation Guide

Validation Study of use of the Interpretation 

Guide for Paint evidence
Research 

Needs

Materials (Trace):

• Assessment of Criteria for Meaningful Differences 

in Trace Materials Comparative Data

• Assessment of the value of activity level factors 

during investigative processes and interpretation 

of glass evidence

• Cross-validation of current and new micro-XRF 

technology for the the forensic analysis of modern 

glass

• Development of an Integrated and 

Multidisciplinary Approach for the Advancement 

of Data Collection, Data Management and Data 

Analysis to Aid Interpretation of Trace Evidence

47
Research 

Needs

Materials (Trace):

• Development of Quantitative Assessment and 

Evaluation of Error Rates in Physical Fit 

Determinations of Trace Materials

• Evidence of Combined Information Value of 

Microscopic Comparisons and Mitochondrial 

DNA Analysis for Hair Examinations

• Validation of the Suitability of Standard Practice 

for Interpretation and Report Writing in Forensic 

Comparisons of Trace Materials

48
Analysis of Seized Drugs

Training 

E2326: 

Standard 

Practice for 

Education and 

Training of 

Seized-Drug 

Analysts

SD-1-A: Code of 

Professional 

Practice for 

Drug Analysts

Safety

General 

Laboratory 

Safety

29CFR1910.1200

Hazard 

Communication

29CFR1910.1030

Bloodborne

Pathogens

ANSI/ISEA z358.1

Emergency Eyewashes 

& Shower Equipment

Opioid 

Safety

Quality

E2327: Standard 

Practice for 

Quality Assurance 

of Laboratories 

Performing SeizedDrug Analysis

E2549: Standard 

Practice for 

Validation of 

Seized-Drug 

Analytical 

Methods SD-2: Quality 

Assurance & 

Validation of 

Analytical 

Methods

In Progress: 

Standard Guide 

for the 

Implementation 

of a Blind Quality 

Control Testing 

Program for 

Seized Drugs 

Analysis

Analytical 

Scheme

Sampling & 

Preparation

E2548: Standard 

Guide for 

Sampling Seized 

Drugs for 

Qualitative and 

Quantitative 

Analysis

ENFSI-UNDOC 

Guidelines on 

Representative Drug 

Sampling

Mass 

Determination

E2764: 

Standard 

Practice for 

Uncertainty 

Assessment in 

the Context of 

Seized-Drug 

Analysis

SD-3: Ex. of 

Measurement 

Uncertainty for 

Weight 

Determin

ations

SD-6 Ex of 

Measurement 

Uncertainty for 

Extrapolations 

of Net Weight 

&Unit Count

Qualitative 

Analysis

E2329: Standard 

Practice for 

Identification of 

Seized Drugs

See 

Qualitative 

Analytical 

Techniques 

Roadmap

Quantitative 

Analysis

ENFSI-DWG 

Guidelines on 

Sampling of 

Illicit Drugs for 

Quantitative 

Analysis

SD-4 Examples of 

Measurement 

Uncertainty for 

Purity 

Determinations

Clandestine 

Laboratories

E2882: 

Standard Guide 

for Analysis of 

Clandestine 

Drug 

Laboratory 

Evidence

Report 

Writing

ASTM E620: Standard 

Practice for Reporting 

Opinions of Scientific or 

Technical Experts SWGDRUG SD-5

Reporting Examples

Courtroom

Testimony

SWGDRUG 

Document

ASTM

Document

OSAC Registry

Document

Future SC 

Development

Some Work 

Completed by SC
Qualitative Analytical Techniques

Instrumental

Mass Spectrometry

In Progress: Standard Practice for 

Assessment of Gas Chromatography 

& Electron Ionization Mass 

Spectrometry Data During the 

Qualitative Analysis of Seized Drugs

In Progress: 

Guidelines for 

Mass Spectral 

Libraries

Infrared Spectroscopy

In Progress: Standard Practice for 

Assessment of Infrared Spectroscopy 

Data During the Qualitative Analysis 

of Seized Drugs

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 

Spectroscopy

Raman Spectroscopy

Gas Chromatography

In Progress: Standard Practice for 

Assessment of Gas Chromatography 

& Electron Ionization Mass 

Spectrometry Data During the 

Qualitative Analysis of Seized Drugs

X-Ray Diffraction

Liquid Chromatography Capillary Electrophoresis

Ion Mobility Spectrometry Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Non-Instrumental

Examination of Plant Material

Macroscopic 

Identification

Microscopic 

Identification

Thin Layer Chromatography

Color Tests Microcrystalline Tests

E1968: Standard Guide for Microcrystal 

Testing in the Forensic Analysis of Cocaine

E1969: Standard Guide for Microcrystal 

Testing in the Forensic Analysis of 

Methamphetamine and Amphetamine

E2125: Standard Guide for Microcrystal 

Testing in the Forensic Analysis of 

Phencyclidine and Its Analogues

Pharmaceutical Identifiers Immunoassay

Melting point

ASTM

Document

Some Work 

Completed by SC
Existing SDO 

Seized Drugs 

Standards

• E2326 – Standard Practice for Education and 

Training of Seized-Drug Analysts

• E2327 – Standard Practice for Quality Assurance 

of Laboratories Performing Seized-Drug Analysis

• E2549 – Standard Practice for Validation of 

Seized-Drugs Analytical Methods

• E2764 – Standard Practice for Uncertainty 

Assessment in the Context of Seized Drug 

Analysis

• E2882 – Standard Guide for Analysis of 

Clandestine Laboratory Evidence

51
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

52

• E2764 – Standard Practice for Uncertainty 

Assessment in the Context of Seized Drug 

Analysis (under revision)

• E2882 – Standard Guide for Analysis of 

Clandestine Laboratory Evidence (under revision)

• WK65067 – Practice for Assessment of Gas 

Chromatography and Electron Ionization Mass 

Spectrometry Data During the Qualitative 

Analysis of Seized Drugs
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

• Standard Guide for Intra-laboratory Blind Quality 

Control Program for Seized Drugs Analysis

• Standard Guide for the Development and 

Suitability Assessment of Electron Ionization -

Mass Spectral (EI-MS) Libraries and Databases for 

Forensic Identification

• Standard Guide for Assessment of Infrared 

Spectroscopy Data During the Qualitative 

Analysis of Seized Drugs

53
Research 

Needs

Seized Drugs:

• Acceptance Criteria for Instrumental Data 

Related to Qualitative Seized Drug Analysis

• Error Rates in Qualitative Methods of Analysis

** White-box study currently under 

development by Forensic Science Technology 

Center of Excellence (FTCoE) at RTI in 

partnership with the Kentucky State Police **

54
Other

Seized Drugs 

Resources Under 

Development

• Compilation of:

ü Cannabis (hemp/marijuana) analysis 

resources

ü Pharmacophore information resources

ü GC-MS analysis limitations

55
Gunshot Residue – Subcommittee Roadmap

Discipline - GSR

Training – PGSR

SDO 600 Training of 

Analyst – WK58457 

Terminology –

WK59510

Collection

SDO 400 Report 

Writing - PGSR

Testimony and Ethics –

PGSR

Methodology Statistics 

and Research – PGSR

ASTM 1588-17 –PGSR –

Proposed revisions 

sent to SDO

Statistical Needs 

Prevalence 

Safety – refer to:

OSHA 1910

Validation and 

Performance

Under final editing for 

submission to Scientific 

Publication

ORGANIC GSR (OGSR) INORGANIC GSR (IGSR)

= Needs Further Research

= Some Work Completed
Standards in 

Process – at 

SDO

ASTM E1588-17: Standard Guide for Gunshot Residue 

Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive 

X-ray Spectrometry

WK58457 Training in the Forensic Examination of GSR using 

Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray 

Spectrometry

57
Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development

Report Writing

The Report Writing Document was pitched at the Houston in-person meeting; all 

comments have been considered and addressed, and the document is being finalized 

for submission to the ASTM.

Organic GSR:

This Task Group has made substantial progress on their document: The Collection 

Storage and Analysis of Organic Gunshot Residues. The Subcommittee will be voting on 

the proposal to Pitch this document at the upcoming in-person meeting in July 2019.

Testimony:

The Testimony and Ethics Task Group has completed their document: Standard 

Practice for Expert Witness Opinions on the Interpretation of Primer Gunshot 

Residue (pGSR) Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray 

Spectrometry. The Subcommittee will be voting on the proposal to Pitch this 

document at the upcoming in-person meeting in July 2019.

Validation and Quality Assurance:

This Task Group has completed a detailed document to verify performance of SEM and 

EDS. They are currently editing the document and working to have the document 

published in Forensic Chemistry.

Inorganic Gunshot Residue:

This Task Group was recently added to the GSR-SC and has been meeting regularly to 

work on a database that will be used as a future resource.

58

Standards in 

Process –

Under 

Development
Research 

Needs

Gunshot Residue:

• Comprehensive Feasibility of Organic Gunshot 

Residue Analysis

• Comprehensive GSR Persistence Study

• Development of Characterized Reference Stubs

• Fundamental Research into Mechanism of 

Particle Formation 

• Specific Identification of Shooters

59
Thank you

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science