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 The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science

  OSAC Standards Bulletin
  
  

  OSAC Standards Bulletin Cover - June 2023June 2023

ThisStandards Bulletinfrom the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science provides a monthly update on:

Standards moving through the OSACRegistry approval processes for published and OSAC Proposed Standards.
	Standards moving through the development process at standards development organizations (SDOs).**Bulletin Summary:**

New standards added to the OSAC Registry: 3
	Standards Open for Comment for Registry Approval: 7
	New SDO Published Standards: 7
	New Work Proposals: 4
	Standards open for comment at SDOs: 36

Download PDF (298.9 KB)

In this issue
      
      OSAC Registry Updates
          SDO Updates
          Other Forensic Science News, Events & Training

      OSAC Registry Updates
    OSAC Registry RibbonTheOSAC Registryis a repository of high-quality, technically sound**published**and**proposed standards**for forensic science. These written documents define minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols, and other guidance to help ensure that the results of forensic analyses are reliable and reproducible.

All the standards on the OSAC Registry have passed a rigorous technical and quality review by OSAC members, including forensic science practitioners, research scientists, statisticians, and human factors and legal experts.

**Three New Standards Added to the OSAC Registry**

**Two SDO Published Standards (added June 6, 2023):**

SWGDE: 18-NOV-1.0 SWGDE*Minimum Requirements for Testing Tools used in Digital and Multimedia Forensics*
	SWGDE: 22-F-002-1.0*Best Practices for Chromebook Acquisition and Analysis***One OSAC Proposed Standard (added June 6, 2023):**

OSAC 2022-S-0001,*Standard Guide for Image Comparison Opinions***Standards Open for Comment for OSAC Registry Approval**

**SDO Published Standards**

TheOSAC Registry approval process for published standardsis used to review existing SDO published standards for technical quality and placement on the Registry.**Please submit your****comments by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 3, 2023,**on whether the following SDO published standards should be included on the Registry:

ANSI/ASB Standard 090,*Standard for Sex Estimation in Forensic Anthropology*, 2019, 1st Ed.**Submit your comments****here****.****OSAC Proposed Standards**

TheOSAC Registry approval process for OSAC Proposed Standardsis used to review OSAC drafted standards for technical quality and placement on the Registry. The following draft OSAC Proposed Standards are being considered for submission to an SDO. The final draft provided to the SDO will be available on the OSAC Registry as an “OSAC Proposed Standard.”

OSAC welcomes comments on whether the current drafts are suitable for release to the SDO as well as suggestions for improvements in content and wording.**To be considered, comments must be placed in the****OSAC Comment Form****and sent to comments [at] nist.gov(comments[at]nist[dot]gov)****by 11:59 p.m. ET on  July 3, 2023.**

OSAC 2023-N-0012,*Best Practice Recommendations for the Acceptance of a Request for Friction Ridge Examinations*
	OSAC 2023-N-0013,*Standard for Evidence Collection and Management for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations for Adult and Adolescent Patients*
	OSAC 2023-N-0015,*Standard for the Education of Forensic Nurses who Conduct Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations for Adult and Adolescent Patients*
	OSAC 2023-N-0020,*Standard for the On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Friction Ridge Impressions*
	OSAC 2023-N-0022,*Best Practice Recommendations for Communicating with Next of Kin during Medicolegal Death Investigations*
	OSAC 2023-S-0017,*Standard for the Articulation of Footwear and Tire Interpretations***Is your organization implementing standards on the OSAC Registry?**

Complete OSAC’s Registry Implementation Declaration Form found on the OSAC website and send it to mark.stolorow [at] nist.gov(mark[dot]stolorow[at]nist[dot]gov) to let us know. Your organization will subsequently be awarded an OSAC Registry Implementer Certificate.

Interested in learning more about implementation? Check out OSAC’s new Implementation Recognition Factsheet.

  
  SDO Updates
    **New Published Standards**

ANSI/ASB recently published the following standards:

ANSI/ASB Standard 135,*Scene Detection and Processing in Forensic Anthropology*, 2023, 1st Ed.
	ANSI/ASB Standard 137,*Standard for Examination and Documentation of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence*, 2023, 1st Ed.
	ANSI/ASB Standard 157,*Required Components for a Proficiency Testing Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis*, 2023, 1st Ed.
	ANSI/ASB Standard 158,*Standard for Developing Standard Operating Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis,*2023, 1st Ed.**ANSI/ASTM recently published the following standards:

ANSI/ASTM E2224-2023a,*Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Fibers by Infrared Spectroscopy*(revision of ANSI/ASTM E2224-2019)
	ANSI/ASTM E2228-2023a,*Guide for Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers*(revision of ANSI/ASTM E2228-2022A)
	ANSI/ASTM 3254-23,*Standard Practice for Use of Color in the Visual Examination and Comparison of Soil Samples***Work Proposals for New or Revised Standards**

On May 5, 2023, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page 6, in the*ANSI Standards Action*. This will begin NFPA’s work on the following standard:

NFPA 1033-202x,*Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator*(revision of ANSI/NFPA 1033-2022)On May 19, 2023, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on pages 2-3, in the*ANSI Standards Action*. This will begin ASB and ASTM’s work on the following standards:

ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 190,*Best Practice Recommendation for the Use of Digital Image Capture and File Storage Technology in Forensic Document Examination*(new standard)
	ANSI/ASB Standard 191,*Standard for the Examination of Dry Seals and Dry Seal Impressions*(new standard)ASTM WK86273-202x,*Guide for Interpretation and Reporting in Forensic Comparisons of Trace Materials*(new standard)**Standards Open for Comment at SDOs**

Stakeholders from the forensic science community are encouraged to provide input on standards as they are being developed at SDOs. For SDO published standards going through the OSAC Registry approval process, the public will have an opportunity to comment on a standard during the SDO’s public comment period but will not be given a second opportunity to comment through OSAC on whether the resulting standard should be placed on the Registry.

Visit OSAC’sStandards Open for Commentwebpage to see the full list of forensic science standards open for comment at SDOs and how to submit your feedback.This page consolidates and tracks comment deadlines for you and will be updated on a weekly basis. It currentlyincludes:

7 standards open for comment at ASB in Biology/DNA (1), Dogs & Sensors (1), Forensic Anthropology (2), Friction Ridge (2), and Wildlife Forensics (1).
	13 standards open for comment at ASTM in Facial Identification (1), Fire Debris (3), Gunshot Residue (3), Interdisciplinary (1), Trace Evidence (4), and Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis SC (1).
	16 standards open for comment at SWGDE in Digital Evidence and Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis SC.

  
  Other Forensic Science News, Events & Training
    **Participate in ASTM E30 Forensic Science Committee**

ASTM International’s E30 Forensic Science Committee is seeking participants from underrepresented interest categories of Consumer (defined as: consumers of forensic evidence and includes individuals working in regulating bodies and the judicial systems) and Producers (defined as: manufacturers of kits, equipment of provider of services to forensics science service providers.)Visit the E30 webpageto learn more.

Individuals who are interested in becoming an E30 member are invited to contactbmilewski [at] astm.org(bmilewski[at]astm[dot]org), ASTM’s E30 staff manager or join via theASTM website.

The Scope of E30 is: The promotion of knowledge and development of standards (test methods, guides, practices, classifications, and terminology) for, but not limited to, definitions, methods and standard reference materials for the collection, preservation, scientific examination, preparation and reports relating to physical evidence for forensic purposes; and the general practice of forensic science; and other areas as determined by the scope.

**AAFS Standards Resources and Training**

As part of a cooperative agreement with NIST, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is developingtraining, tools, and resourcesto enhance implementation efforts and broaden awareness of forensic science standards among communities of interest.

Standards factsheetsprovide a clear, concise, and easy way to understand the purpose of a specific standard, why it is needed, and the benefits of adoption.**Standards factsheets are available for 80+ standards on the OSAC Registry.**
	Standards checklistsare a tool that forensic science service providers can use to track progress towards implementation, identify gaps or barriers to implementation, or document objective evidence of implementation or compliance with a standard.**Checklists are available for 85+ standards on the OSAC Registry.**
	Standards videos and webinarsare available for free from AAFS Connect. Learn about the standards development process, standards development activities in various disciplines, and information about specific SDO published standards on the OSAC Registry.**Upcoming Events**

Understanding ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendations for Detection, Photographic Documentation and Lifting of Footwear and Tire Impressions| June 13, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. ET
	The Ins and Outs of ANSI/ASB Standard 092: Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Explosives| June 20, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. ET
	Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) Annual Meeting| November 6 - 10| Groton, CT | Registration is now open.
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