General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

General Standards for 

Training in Serological 

Methods

Biological Methods Subcommittee

Biology/DNA Scientific Area Committee

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

OSAC Proposed Standard

General Standards for Training in 

Forensic Serological Methods

Prepared by 

Biological Methods Subcommittee

Version: 1.0

Disclaimer:

This document has been developed by the Biological Methods Subcommittee of the Organization of 

Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science through a consensus process and is proposed

for further development through a Standard Developing Organization (SDO). This document is being 

made available so that the forensic science community and interested parties can consider the 

recommendations of the OSAC pertaining to applicable forensic science practices. The document was 

developed with input from experts in a broad array of forensic science disciplines as well as scientific 

research, measurement science, statistics, law, and policy. 

This document has not been published by an SDO. Its contents are subject to change during the 

standards development process. All interested groups or individuals are strongly encouraged to submit 

comments on this proposed document during the open comment period administered by the Academy 

Standards Board (www.asbstandardsboard.org). 
1

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

General Standards for Training in Forensic Serological Methods

ASB Approved Xxxxx 2018

Foreword

This standard was revised, prepared and finalized as a standard by the DNA Consensus Body of the AAFS 

Standards Board (ASB). The initial draft document was developed by the Biological Methods 

Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees.

This standard provides the general requirements for a forensic serology training program to evaluate 

body fluids, stains, or residues related to forensic investigations.

All hyperlinks and web addresses shown in this document are current as of the publication date of this 

standard.

Keywords: training, serology, forensic serologist, forensic biology
2

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

Table of Contents

1 Scope......................................................................................................................................................................................3

2 Normative References ....................................................................................................................................................3

3 Terms and Definitions ....................................................................................................................................................3

4 Requirements of the Standards ..................................................................................................................................3

5 Annex A: Bibliography....................................................................................................................................................6
3

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

Standards for Training in Forensic Serological Methods

1 Scope

This standard provides the general requirements for a forensic serology training program to 

evaluate body fluids, stains, or residues related to forensic investigations.

This standard does not address training in forensic DNA analysis procedures.

2 Normative References

The document contains no normative references.

3 Terms and Definitions

For purposes of this document, the following definitions apply:

3.1Confirmatory Test

A test that is specific for a biological material or substance of interest and is necessary for 

the conclusive identification of a biological fluid; this usually refers to a serological or 

microscopic test for the detection of a particular biological fluid (e.g., blood or semen).

3.2Serology

The detection, characterization, identification, and/or typing of body tissues and fluids, 

either in native form or as stains or residues left at a crime scene using physical methods 

(normal and enhanced lighting), biochemical assays and/or microscopy.

3.3Presumptive Test

A screening test that indicates that a biological fluid of interest may be present on an item of 

evidence but the result does not constitute the identification of that biological fluid. A 

negative presumptive test indicates that a biological fluid of interest was not detected; it is 

not confirmation that the biological fluid is absent.

3.4Technical Leader

An employee who is accountable for the technical operations of the laboratory and who is 

authorized to stop or suspend laboratory operations.

4 Requirements of the Standard

4.1 General

4.1.1 The laboratory shall have a documented training program for qualifying all personnel that 

will conduct and report serological examinations.

4.1.2 All personnel processing potential biological evidence shall have documentation of 

successful completion of the training program before being released to perform forensic 

casework.

4.1.3 The training program shall be overseen by the technical leader. Training shall be performed 

by a qualified individual designated by the technical leader.
4

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

4.1.4 The training program for personnel conducting and reporting biological fluid examinations 

shall define the technical skills and knowledge required to perform serological analysis. The 

training provided to each trainee shall be applicable to the individual’s job responsibilities.

4.1.5 Each area of instruction shall have an objective(s) documented in the training program.

4.1.6 Examination(s) (e.g., written test, oral test, and/or laboratory practical exercise) shall be 

defined and administered in order to measure the trainee’s knowledge. Each examination 

shall be graded according to laboratory policy. Final conformance and authorization of 

independence of a trainee shall be determined and documented by thetechnical leader.

4.1.7 If applicable, based on a trainee’s prior experience a training plan, which can include retraining, will be assessed by the technical leader. Supporting documentation of an 

individual’s previous training and experience in biological fluid examination shall be 

recorded and used to assess if modifications to the training program can be made. Any 

modifications shall be documented by the technical leader.

4.1.8 Expectations regarding satisfactory progression through the training program and 

performance on competency test(s).

4.1.9 A competency test, as determined by established laboratory procedure, shall be successfully 

completed for the range of serological examinations that will be performed regardless of 

previous experience.

4.1.10 Before the introduction of a new serological procedure into the laboratory, the training 

program shall be updated to incorporate any new methodologies that will be conducted by 

the laboratory, and personnel should successfully complete a competency/qualifying test 

prior to performing casework utilizing that new methodology.

4.1.11 For personnel who had an integral role in the validation sufficient to master the technical 

skills, concepts and knowledge pertaining to the validation, the technical leader may allow 

the validation to serve as the competency test in this method of serological analysis. The 

technical leader shall document the level of involvement of the individual in the validation 

to indicate how it applies to the individual’s job responsibilities.

4.2 Content

The laboratory’s training program shall provide the trainee with an understanding of the 

fundamental principles of forensic serological methods and the laboratory’s own forensic 

serological methods procedures, as applicable.

4.2.1. At a minimum, the training program shall require the following:

a) General understanding of serology testing and its impact on other forensic disciplines

b) The laboratory’s protocols for forensic serological methods, quality assurance, ethics, and 

safety

c) The laboratory’s applicable validation studies

d) Literature used to support validation

e) Applicable literature, lectures, and practical exercises as assigned by the technical leader
5

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

4.2.2 At a minimum, the knowledge-based portion of the training program shall coverthe 

following topics:

a) The fundamentals of serological testing and the composition of body fluids

b) Mechanisms of biological fluid examinations to include: visual, chemical, histological, 

immunological, and PCR (i.e. RNA, epigenetics)

c) Information regarding test specificity, limitations and limit of detection for presumptive and

confirmatory testing

d) Foundation, court room testimony, and impact of forensic serology testimony in the judicial 

system

e) The analytical information involved in establishing which assay to use (e.g. size of stain, age 

of stain)

f) The proper preservation of biological material to include safety, handling, packaging, 

storing, and chain of custody procedures to maintain the integrity of the evidence. (e.g., for 

additional characterization, DNA testing, or in accordance with applicable law)

4.2.3 At a minimum, the technical portion of the training program shall include:

a) Practical instruction in the forensic serological methods to be utilized by the trainee. This 

shall be done by a combination of direct observation, mock testing, and supplemented with 

case file review as necessary.

b) Practical exercises representative of the range, type, and complexity of routine casework or 

samples processed by the laboratory. The number and quality of samples processed by the 

trainee shall be appropriate to demonstrate the ability to follow the laboratory’s forensic 

serological methods protocol(s) and to produce reliable and accurate results.

c) Sample selection methods and appropriate sample size necessary to permit downstream 

DNA analysis.

d) The preferred order in which serological tests should be applied to evidence as per 

laboratory policy.

e) The interpretation of the serological examination results, including interpretation of 

appropriate controls.

f) The technical and administrative review and reporting of serological examination results 

according to laboratory policy.

4.3 Conformance

4.3.1 The trainee shall successfully complete a knowledge-based test covering , at a minimum, the 

topics outlined under 4.2. The format of the test(s) shall be at the discretion of the technical leader.

4.3.2 The trainee shall successfully complete a laboratory- based competency test covering each of 

the forensic serological method protocols for which they will be independently authorized to 

perform.

4.3.3 The trainee shall successfully complete a mock-trial to demonstrate their ability to explain 

serological methods and results in both a simplistic and scientific capacity.
6

General Standards for Training in Serological Methods

ANNEX A

(informative)

Bibliography

1) National Institute of Justice, Sourcebook on forensic serology, immunology and biochemistry, 

1983.

2) James, Stuart H., Nordby, Jon J., Bell, Suzanne. Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and

Investigative Techniques. CRC Press; 4 edition (January 13, 2014).

3) Scientific Working Group on the DNA Analysis Methods, Guidelines for the Collection and 

Serological Examination of Biological Evidence, 2015.