FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Effect of Nonrelevant Data on Origin and Cause Determination

Describe

the need:

Exposure to domain irrelevant data has the potential to cause errors in the scientific 

determination of origin and cause. Separating the duties of examining physical 

evidence and relevant witness statements from data not relevant to determination of 

origin and cause could eliminate bias which might affect origin and cause 

determinations. The impacts and effectiveness of a range of methods and protocols to

reduce bias should be evaluated. 

Keywords): Fire, sequential unmasking, bias 

Submitting subcommittees): Fire & Explosion Investigation Date Approved: March 10, 2021

If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gaps) in a current or planned standard? ex.: Field identification system for 

on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes. NFPA 921 recognizes bias as a potential issue but additional research in methodology for reducing bias would 

be beneficial for the document and the profession.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Tversky, A.,&Kahneman,0.1974).Judgmentunderuncertainty:Heuristicsandbiases.Science,185,

1124M1131.http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sclence.185.4157.1124

Lentini,J.,2008).“TowardaMoreScientificDetermination:MinimizingExpectationBiasinFireInvestigations,”

Proceedingsofthe3rdInternationalSymposiumonFireInvestigationsScienceandTechnology,ISFI),NAFI,

Sarasota,FL.

Avato,S,Cox,A2009).ScienceandCircumstance:KeyComponentsinFireInvestigations.FireandArsonInvestigator,

594)47M49.

Dror,I.E.2013)Practicalsolutionstocognitiveandhumanfactorchallengesinforensicscience.Forensic

SciencePolicy&Management4,1M9.

NFPA9212014).GuideforFireandExplosionInvestigations.NFPA:Quincy,MA.

ForensicScienceRegulator2015).CognitiveBiaseffectsrelevanttoforensicscienceexaminations.FSRMGM217.

RetrievedonJanuary28,2016,from:
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 2

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/470549/FSRMGM217_Cognitive_bi

as_appendix.pdf

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

This research need is targeted to improve current fire investigation field work rather than laboratory analyses.

Bias from domain irrelevant data has the potential to cause errors in the scientific determination of origin and cause. 

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittees)?

See Number 5.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Bias from domain irrelevant data has the potential to cause errors in the scientific determination of origin and cause. 

8. Status assessment I, II, III, or IV): I

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.