VITAL Overview

AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting

February 2021

Julie Carnes
OSAC’s Structure

Forensic Science Standards Board 

(FSSB)

Seven Scientific Area Committees 

(SACs) 

22 Subcommittees (SCs)

Four Resource Task Groups:

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• Human factors

• Legal

• Quality

• Statistics
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Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis (VITAL)

• Focuses on standards and guidelines 

related to the application of methods 

and technologies to analyze 

information related to forensic imagery 

from a variety of systems.

• This encompasses aspects of capture, 

storage, processing, archiving, quality 

assurance and training. 
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 OSAC 

proposed and SDO 

published standards for 

placement on the OSAC 

Registry

Endorses OSAC 

proposed and SDO 

published standards 

on the Registry & 

promotes their 

implementation 

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OSAC Document Tiers

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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

43

documents

114

documents

136 

documents

148

documents
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Tier 4: 

Standards 

Under 

Development

• Standard Guide for Autopsy Photography

• Standard Guide for Laboratory (Controlled 

Environment) Photography

• Standard Guide for Forensic Video Analysis

• Standard Guide for Photogrammetry

• Standard Guide for Source and Content 

Authentication
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Tier 4: 

Standards 

Under 

Development

Standard Guide For Photogrammetry 

Key Components: 

• Multiple methodologies for 

photogrammetric examinations 

• Recommendations for performing 

photogrammetric examinations

• Evidentiary value of photogrammetric 

examinations, common questions asked, 

and reporting

Current Status:

• Addressing feedback

• Revision in progress
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Tier 4: 

Standards 

Under 

Development

Standard Guide for Forensic Video Analysis

Key Components:

• Quality Assurance

• Assessment

• Processing

• Analysis

• Results

• Reports

Current Status:

• Addressing feedback

• Revision in progress
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Tier 3: 

Sent to SDO 

• Standard Guide for Image Based Comparison 

Conclusions (WK74814)

• Standard Guide for Developing Discipline Specific 

Methodology by ACE-V (WK72441)

• Standard Guide for Crime Scene Photography 

(WK69872)

• Standard Guide for Latent Print Evidence Imaging 

Resolution (WK66357)

• Standard Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, 

Image Analysis, and Photography (WK66417)

• The Standard Practice for Data Retrieval from 

Digital CCTV Systems (WK61709)

www.astm.org
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Tier 2: 

Published by 

SDO

• ASTM E2825-18 Standard Guide for 

Forensic Digital Image Processing 
OSAC Registry

• Repository of high-quality, technically sound 

published and proposed standards and guidelines 

for forensic science.

• All standards on the OSAC Registry have passed a 

rigorous technical and quality review by OSAC 

members, including forensic science practitioners, 

research scientists, statisticians and legal experts.

• OSAC encourages the forensic science community 

to implement published and proposed standards.

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Other Work Products • Bibliographies • Interlaboratory comparisons • OSAC Lexicon • Process maps • R&D needs • Reference documents • Standards development maps • Technical guidance documents • Webinars/presentations

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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/org

anization-scientific-areacommittees-forensicscience/osac-standardsbulletin

• 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/organization

-scientific-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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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.co

m/accounts/USNIST/subscrib

er/new
THANK YOU!

Julie Carnes

Julie.carnes@target.com