OSAC Overview and CSI 

Subcommittee Update

CBDIAI Conference

Michael P. Kessler

September 24, 2020
Forensic Science Landscape in U.S.

U.S. population of 327M | 50 States divided into 3007 counties:

• 409 Federal/State/Local Crime Labs

o 88% accredited (as of December 31, 2014)

• 18,000+ Law Enforcement Agencies

• 2,400+ Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices

• 2,300+ Prosecutor Offices

• 3,000+ Public Defenders Offices 

U.S. has NO 

forensic science 

owner!

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**Data Sources: DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Statistics
Issues in Forensic Science

• Fragmented and inconsistent operations within and 

between jurisdictions

• Under resourced and understaffed labs

• Different types of practitioners with different levels 

of training and performance standards

• Lack of mandatory training, continuing education, 

certification, and accreditation programs

• Limited opportunities for research funding

• Lack of standards within and between disciplines

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OSAC’s Origin 

National Academy of 

Sciences (NAS) 

Report published: 

February 18, 2009

DOJ and NIST sign MOU to strengthen the 

nation’s use of forensic science through 

creation of National Commission on 

Forensic Science (NCFS) & Guidance 

Groups (later called OSAC): February 2013

NIST held first OSAC 

Subcommittee Meetings:

January 2015 

4

NIST announces 

creation of OSAC at 

NCFS: February 4, 2014
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Scientific Working Group Topic (Forensic Discipline) Years

SWGDAM DNA 27+

TWGDAM SWGDAM

SWGMAT Materials (Trace) 23

TWGFIBE SWGMAT

SWGFAST Friction Ridge (Fingerprints) 20

TWGFAST SWGFAST

SWGDRUG Controlled Substances 18

TWGDRUG SWGDRUG

SWGIT Imaging Technologies 18

TWGIT SWGIT

SWGDOC Document Examination 18

TWGDOC SWGDOC

SWGDE Digital Evidence 17+

SWGGUN Firearms & Toolmarks 17

SWGFEX Fire Debris & Explosives 17

SWGSTAIN Bloodstain Pattern 13

SWGTREAD Shoeprint & Tire Tread 11

SWGDOG Dog & Orthogonal Detector 11

SWGGSR Gun Shot Residue 8

SWGANTH Anthropology 7

SWGTOX Toxicology 6

FISWG Facial Identification 6

SWGDVI Disaster Victim Identification 5

SWGMDI Medicolegal Death Investigation 5

SWGGEO Geological Materials 4

SWGWILD Wildlife Forensics 4

SWGSPEAKER Voice Analysis 3

2007

1992

1995

1997

1997

1997

1998

2011

2012

1988

2008

2009

2009

2010

2010

2011

1998

1998

2002

2004

2004

Scientific Working Groups (SWGs) 

• Collectively, these 21 SWGs have had 

over 750 participants and produced over 

250 documents

• Most SWGs have ceased operations

• SWGDAM, SWGDE, SWGDRUG, & FISWG 

continue to operate

At least three other SWGs existed previously: 

SWGIBRA Illicit Business Records

SWGMGF Microbial Genetics and Forensics

SWGCBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism

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To create a sustainable organizational infrastructure 

dedicated to identifying and fostering the 

development of technically sound, consensus-based 

documentary standards and guidelines for 

widespread implementation throughout the forensic 

science community

HARMONIZATION

BALANCE

CONSENSUS

OPENNESS
OSAC Stakeholders

• NIST

• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

• OSAC members (present and future)

• Forensic science service providers

• Academic institutions

• Representatives of the criminal justice system

• International and national standards development 

organizations (SDOs)

• Professional organizations (forensic science & 

others)

• Federal, state & local government agencies

• Non-government organizations (NGOs)

• Private sector manufacturers & service vendors 

supplying forensic service providers

• Quality system providers (accrediting & certifying 

bodies)

• The public

7

To support it’s mission, OSAC collaborates with and supports a wide-range of stakeholders 

with varied interests:
OSAC’s Structure (OSAC 1.0)

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• 546 members

• 268 affiliates

• 2578 applications

• 48 states represented

(as of June 1, 2020)
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OSAC Employer & Job Classifications

10

2%

10%

1%

9%

57%

2%

2%

17%

JOB

Attorney Educator Judge Other Practitioner QA Manager R&D Researcher

21%

22%

1%

18%

18%

20%

EMPLOYER

Academic Federal FFRDC Local Private State
What OSAC...

DOES DOESN’T

Publish standards

Have the authority to 

enforce standards 

Facilitates development 

of science-based 

standards through the 

formal SDO processes 

Evaluates existing 

standards published by 

SDOs for placement on the 

OSAC Registry

Endorses standards

on the Registry & 

promotes their 

implementation 

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OSAC Document Tiers

12

1 2 3 4

• Documents on the 

OSAC Registry

• Approved by OSAC –

highest level of vetting

• OSAC supported 

standards published

by an SDO

• Completed SDO 

consensus process

• OSAC drafted 

standards sent to an 

SDO

• Drafted with input 

from RC and approved 

by SAC

• Under development

• Working draft 

document inside 

OSAC development 

process and not yet 

publicly available

37

documents

94

documents

136 

documents

158

documents
OSAC Registry

• Trusted repository of high-quality, science-based 

standards and guidelines for the practice of forensic 

science

• Documents developed using a consensus-based 

process and pass a technical merit review by forensic 

science practitioners, academic researchers, 

statisticians and measurement scientists

• Adoption by relevant agencies and practitioners 

encouraged

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

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OSAC Registry Standards

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/osac-registry-approved-standards

14

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standards

• 3 Biology/DNA

• 1 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

• 3 Digital Evidence

• 2 Disaster Victim Identification

• 1 Dogs & Sensors

• 3 Facial Identification

• 2 Fire & Explosion Investigation

• 7 Materials (Trace)

• 2 Odontology

• 2 Seized Drugs

• 3 Toxicology

• 2 Wildlife Forensics

• 6 Interdisciplinary
OSAC Registry Implementation Pathways

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• Self Implementation

• Professional Associations

• Legal Community

• Certification & Accreditation Bodies

• Funding Bodies

• State Forensic Science Commissions/

Regulatory Authorities

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/implementation-plan
Implementation Resources

nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/implementation-plan

• Implementation Strategy Sessions Recap Report

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Lab Declaration Form

• Standards Implementation Tracker that lists all 

standards by discipline and categorizes them into 

various development stages (Tier 1-4)

• Detailed “How To” Guidelines with step-by-step 

instructions for labs

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Other OSAC Initiatives

http://lexicon.forensicosac.org/Term/Home/Index

http://www.nist.gov/forensics/osac/osac-researchneeds-assessments.cfm
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Other OSAC Initiatives (continued)
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OSAC Website

www.nist.gov/osac
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OSAC Communications

• Provides monthly updates on 

forensic science standards 

moving through development 

process at SDOs and those 

moving through OSAC Registry 

process

• Available on OSAC’s website: 

https://www.nist.gov/topics/orga

nization-scientific-areacommittees-forensicscience/osac-standards-bulletin

• Quarterly communication that provides 

updates on OSAC’s program status, 

activities, accomplishments, and 

opportunities for public input with internal 

and external audiences.

• Available on OSAC’s website: 

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organizationscientific-area-committees-forensicscience/osac-newsletter

• Follow us! 

https://www.linkedin.co

m/showcase/organizati

on-of-scientific-areacommittees-osac-forforensic-science/
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Crime Scene Investigation Subcommittee

Task Group Organization

CSI Subcommittee

Crime Scene Reconstruction 

Task Group

Collision Reconstruction Task 

Group

Response & Identification 

Task Group

Collection & Preservation 

Task Group

Documentation & Reporting 

Task Group

Forensic Nursing Task 

Group*

Veterinary Forensic Sciences 

Task Group

Forensic Entomology Task 

Group

*Forensic Nursing Task Group 

becomes

Forensic Nursing Subcommittee 

October 1, 2020
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Research & Development Needs

• Assessing the Culture of Contextual Bias in Forensic Scene Evidence Collection, 

Handling, and Processing

• Assessment of Level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required at Crime 

Scenes

• Decontamination of Crime Scene Equipment

• Laboratory Techniques and Technologies at the Crime Scene

• Use of Technology for Crime Scene Documentation

https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/osac-research-development-needs
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FY2021 Priorities

• 1. Focus on completion of standards that relate to the base of practice including 

education/training/professional development for specialties (i.e. CSR, CR, ACI, VFS, 

FE) crime scene investigation and reconstruction fundamental principles (e.g., initial 

response and identification, collection and preservation, documentation and 

reporting, specialized scene fundamentals, and QMS/QA-QC).

• 2. Following base of practice standards development, move into specific methods.

• 3. Continued collaboration with overlapping SCs or SCs with shared interest in 

standards under development as well as support to SDOs (ASTM & ASB).
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Draft Standards in Development (Tier 4)

• Standard Guide for Crime Scene Reconstruction

• Crime Scene Reconstructionist Training, Continuing Education, and Professional 

Development

• Standard for Initial Response at Scenes by Crime Scene Investigators

• Standards for the Clinical Veterinary Forensic Examination of the Suspected Abused 

Animal

• Standard Practice for the Documentation and Processing of Animal Abuse Scenes

• Standard Practice for Crime Scene Metrology

• Standard Guide for Quality Management in Crime Scene Investigation and 

Reconstruction

• Standard Practice for the Collection and Preservation of Biological Materials

• Standard Method for the Chemical Testing of Suspected Projectile Impacts

• Standard Method for Measuring Trajectory Angles

• Standard for the Collection and Preservation of Arthropod Samples from Humans 

or Other Animals
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New Standards Sent to SDO (Tier 3)

• ASTM International Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences

• Standard Practice for Crime Scene Investigator Training, Continuing Education, 

Professional Development, Certification, and Accreditation

• Standard Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence

• Standard Practice for Transmittal of Evidence in Sexual Violence Investigation

• Standard Practice for Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual

Assault Investigations

• AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB) Crime Scene Investigation Consensus Body

• Guiding Principles for Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction

• Standard for Initial Response at Scenes by Law Enforcement

• Standard for On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence

• Standard Practice for the Documentation and Processing of Shooting Scenes
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Highlights from OSAC Proposed Standard

Guiding Principles for Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction

• Provides guiding principles and recommendations for practicing crime scene 

investigators and reconstructionists.

• Each crime scene is unique and requires crime scene investigators and 

reconstructionists to continuously evaluate how to proceed with processing in a 

manner that is safe and best preserves the evidence and its context. All decisions 

made by a crime scene investigator or reconstructionist before, during, and after a 

crime scene is processed should consider the following:

1. Legal Considerations

2. Personnel Safety

3. Scientific Reliability

4. Preserving Context

5. Maintaining Evidence Integrity

6. Transparency and Ethics

7. Managing Bias
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Highlights from OSAC Proposed Standard

Standard for Initial Response at Scenes by Law Enforcement

• Applies to the first law enforcement personnel who respond to a scene and whose 

initial or primary responsibility does not involve crime scene investigation.

• Addresses:

• Arrival Procedure

• Safety Considerations

• Medical Intervention

• Assessing the Scene

• Scene Containment and Control

• Evidence Preservation

• Turing Scene Over to Investigators

• Document Actions and Observations
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Standards Published by SDO (Tier 2)

• ASTM International Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences

• ASTM E620-11(18) Standard Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or 

Technical Experts

• ASTM E860-07(13)e3 Standard Practice for Examining and Preparing Items that 

may Become Involved in Criminal or Civil Litigation

• ASTM E1020-13e1 Standard Practice for Reporting Incidents that may Involve 

Criminal or Civil Litigation

• ASTM E1188-11(17) Standard Practice for Collection and Preservation of 

Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator

• ASTM E1459-13(18) Standard Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related 

Documentation
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Standards on the OSAC Registry (Tier 1)

• ISO 21043-2 Forensic Sciences - Part 2: Recognition, recording, collecting transport 

and storage of items (effective December 3, 2019).

• ASTM E2917-19a Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, 

Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs (effective 

November 5, 2019). 
ASTM E2917-

19a

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Registry Approved (December 3, 2019)

ISO 21043-2 Forensic Sciences - Part 2: Recognition, recording, collecting 

transport and storage of items

• SCOPE- This document specifies requirements for the forensic process focusing on 

recognition, recording, collection, transport and storage of items of potential 

forensic value. It includes requirements for the assessment and examination of 

scenes but is also applicable to activities that occur within the facility. This 

document also includes quality requirements.
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Accessing Published Standards

ASB – public access (currently)

ASTM – free access via OSAC 

License (currently through OCT 

2021)
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How Can You Get Involved?

Sign up for OSAC 

communications Become an OSAC member

Review and comment 

on documents

Stay informed

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organizationscientific-area-committees-forensicscience/apply-join-osac

https://www.nist.gov/osac

https://service.govdelivery.com

/accounts/USNIST/subscriber/

new
THANK YOU!

Michael P. Kessler

mkessler@fiu.edu