OSAC Standards Bulletin – June 2019 1

 

 June 2019

Bulletin Summary 

This Bulletin provides an update on forensic science standards that are moving through the Registry Approval Process at 

the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) and those that are moving through the 

development process at standards developing organizations (SDOs).

Please consider providing comments on documents that are open for comment and registering to attend or view the live 

webcast of OSAC’s upcoming public update meeting on June 5, 2019 at NIST.

OSAC Registry Standards Open for Comment: Two Items

SDO Documents Open for Comment: Two Items

 

The OSAC Registry serves as a trusted repository of high-quality, science-based standards and guidelines for forensic

science practice. A document included on the Registry has progressed through the formal SDO process and has been 

published as a standard. OSAC elevates standards to the OSAC Registry as an endorsement of the document’s high 

quality and to encourage its adoption by relevant stakeholders in the forensic science community.

Intent to Add to the OSAC Registry – Items Open for Comment

OSAC is currently seeking feedback on whether the following standards should be included on the OSAC Registry: 

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 037, Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology, 

First Edition, 2019. Please review this standard and submit your comments by 11:59 PM EST on June 13, 2019.

• ASB Technical Report 025, Crime Scene Death Investigation – Dogs and Sensors – Terms and Definitions, First 

Edition, 2017. Please review this document and submit your comments by 11:59 PM ET on July 2, 2019.
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Standards Moving through the OSAC Registry Approval Process

The following standard has moved from one step in the OSAC Registry Approval Process to another during the last 

month: 

• ASTM E2917-19: Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and 

Professional Development Programs moved to the Comment Adjudication Phase.

• ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories moved 

to the FSSB for Vote. 

For a list of standards currently under consideration, please visit the OSAC website. 

OSAC Draft Standards Submitted to Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) 

OSAC has developed the following draft standards and has submitted them to SDOs for formal development:

The Toxicology Subcommittee submitted the following draft standards to the ASB:

• Standards for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Testing for Medicolegal Death 

Investigations

• Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Testing in Impaired Driving 

Investigations

• Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Urine Testing in Drug-Facilitated Crime 

Investigations

 

SDO News 

Comment Period Open on Draft Documents

American Academy of Forensic Science Standards Board (ASB):

• ASB Best Practice Recommendation 012, Best Practice Recommendation for Articulating a Source Identification 

in Friction Ridge Examinations. This new document offers guidance for articulating the reasoning and 

foundational principles behind the source identification conclusion resulting from the examination of friction 

ridge evidence. Please send comments by July 8, 2019 to asb@aafs.org (with optional copy to psa@ansi.org). 

The document, comment template, and additional information can be accessed through the Notification of 

Standard Development and Coordination section of the ASB website.

• ASB Best Practice Recommendation 068, Safe Handling of Firearms and Ammunition. This new document

provides best practice recommendations for the safe handling of firearm and ammunition evidence during 

forensic analysis. Please send comments by July 8, 2019 to asb@aafs.org (with optional copy to psa@ansi.org). 

The document, comment template, and additional information can be accessed through the Notification of 

Standard Development and Coordination section of the ASB website.
OSAC Standards Bulletin – June 2019 3

New Work Proposals for New or Revised Standards

ASB: 

• On May 17, 2019, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page 18 in the ANSI Standards 

Action. This will begin a 30-day period for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the following 

document:

o BSR/ASB STD 118-201x, Standard for Breath Alcohol Instrument Specifications. This new standard 

defines the minimum technical capability of evidential breath alcohol instruments used in law 

enforcement applications. The document emphasizes analytical performance, quality assurance 

measures, and design features that can affect analytical performance. This standard is not intended to 

include instruments used for preliminary (non-evidentiary), ignition interlock, or federally regulated 

testing. 

• On May 21, 2019, a PINS was published on page 19 in the ANSI Standards Action. This will begin a 30-day period 

for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the following document:

o BSR/ASB STD 116-201x, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Quantification Methods. This new 

standard provides the requirements for a forensic DNA laboratory’s training program in DNA 

quantification. 

Other News 

Join us at the OSAC Public Update and Open Discussions meeting on June 5, 2019 at the NIST campus

Learn more about the activities of OSAC’s five Scientific Area Committees (SACs), three Resource Committees, the 

Statistics Task Group and Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB). Presenters will also discuss the latest standards 

under development, identified research gaps, challenges being addressed and priorities for the year. Webcast 

registration is available. 

NIST to Convene Forensic Science Research Innovation to Implementation Symposium (RI2I) on June 19-20, 2019 

Join us at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD, where forensic scientists, researchers, and technology transfer 

experts will come together with laboratory professionals, business leaders and other stakeholders to explore ideas 

for speeding innovation in the nation’s crime labs. Register today to reserve your spot!

Call for Posters 

We welcome you to submit contributions to a poster session at this symposium that will provide an 

opportunity for researchers to discuss their latest results, ongoing research activities, product development 

initiatives, etc., with the community. Posters will be available for viewing at the breaks. To participate, 

please submit an abstract of 1-2 paragraphs via email to Karen Reczek at karen.reczek@nist.gov. Any 

submissions after, May 27th cannot be guaranteed consideration. 

Call for Exhibitors

Vendors interested in exhibiting opportunities should register now as an attendee and contact Grace Hao at 

grace.hao@nist.gov for additional guidance.