OSAC Standards Bulletin – November 2019 1

 

 November 2019 

Bulletin Summary 

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science Standards Bulletin provides an update on 

forensic science standards that are moving through the Registry Approval Process at OSAC and those moving through 

the development process at standards developing organizations (SDOs).

This bulletin is organized to capture the following standard development phases in the OSAC Registry Approval and SDO 

processes:

• After being published by an SDO, selected standards and guidelines may proceed to the OSAC Registry Approval 

Process where they are evaluated further for technical merit and impact on the forensic science community.

• In the SDO process, OSAC committees or task groups submit an idea (i.e., work item), a partially drafted 

document, or a fully drafted document to an SDO for further development, commenting, and publishing. 

Number of New Standards Placed on the OSAC Registry: Two (2) 

Number of OSAC Registry Documents Open for Comment: One (1) 

Number of SDO Documents Open for Comment: Six (6) 

OSAC Registry Updates 

 

The OSAC Registry serves as a trusted repository of high-quality, 

science-based standards and guidelines for forensic science 

practice. A document included on the Registry has progressed 

through the formal SDO process and has been published as a 

standard. OSAC elevates standards to the OSAC Registry as an

endorsement of the document’s high quality and to encourage 

its adoption by relevant stakeholders in the forensic science community.

 
OSAC Standards Bulletin – November 2019 2

New Documents on the OSAC Registry 

OSAC is excited to announce the following two standards have been placed on the OSAC Registry:

ANSI/ASB 037, Best Practice Recommendation, Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology, 

First Edition, 2019 (developed by OSAC’s Toxicology Subcommittee, effective November 5, 2019).

 

 

ASTM E2917-19a Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and 

Professional Development Programs (developed by OSAC Interdisciplinary Subcommittee, effective November 5, 

2019).

Intent to Add to the OSAC Registry – Documents Open for Comment 

OSAC is currently seeking feedback on whether the following standard should be included on the OSAC Registry:

• ANSI/ASB Standard 020, Standard for Validation Studies of DNA Mixtures and Development and Verification of a 

Laboratory’s Mixture Interpretation Protocol, First Edition, 2018. Comment deadline 11:59 PM ET on December

5, 2019. 

 

Standards Moving through the OSAC Registry Approval Process 

The following standards have moved from one step in the OSAC Registry Approval Process to another during the last 

month:

At OSAC Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB) for vote:

• ISO 21043-2 Forensic Sciences – Part 2: Recognition, recording, collecting, transport and storage of items.

For a list of standards currently under consideration, please visit the OSAC website.

 

If your organization is on the “tip of the spear” and has already embraced the OSAC Registry 

implementation efforts, let us know! Please email mark.stolorow@nist.gov to share your experience. 

Please submit your comments here by the deadline.
OSAC Standards Bulletin – November 2019 3

SDO Updates 

 

New or Revised Standards 

• On September 26, 2019, ASB published ANSI/ASB 040, Standard for Forensic DNA Interpretation and 

Comparison Protocols, First Edition, 2019. This document was developed by OSAC’s Biological Data 

Interpretation & Reporting Subcommittee and provides requirements for a laboratory’s DNA interpretation and 

comparison protocol. A protocol is needed for any DNA testing methodology that 

includes data interpretation and/or comparison. The protocol should encompass 

all variables permitted in the technical protocols that may have an impact on the 

data generated and the variety and range of test data anticipated in casework 

based on the types of samples routinely accepted and tested in the laboratory.

• On October 29, 2019, ASB published ANSI/ASB 036, Standard Practices for 

Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2019. This document was 

developed by OSAC’s Toxicology Subcommittee and 

delineates minimum standards of practice for validating analytical methods used 

in the field of forensic toxicology that target specific analytes or analyte classes. 

Specifically, it is intended for the subdisciplines of postmortem forensic toxicology, human performance 

toxicology (e.g., drug-facilitated crimes and driving-under-the-influence of alcohol or drugs), non-regulated 

employment drug testing, court-ordered toxicology (e.g., probation and parole, drug courts, child services), and 

general forensic toxicology (non-lethal poisonings or intoxications). 

Comment Period Open on Draft Documents 

Consider sharing your expertise by commenting on the following documents to ensure they are technically sound and 

aligned with the needs of the forensic science community:

American Academy of Forensic Science Standards Board (ASB):

• Recirculation* – ASB 031, Guidelines for Report Writing in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. This new document 

provides guidelines for report writing in bloodstain pattern analysis. In addition, guidance is provided regarding 

statements to be avoided in the report. Comment deadline November 11, 2019.

• ASB Technical Report 084, Presentation of Canine Detection Evidence in Court. This technical report provides 

information and guidance pertaining to presenting canine detection evidence in court. It includes an overview of 

issues to consider and a resource of relevant case law to assist the lawyer and expert witness in the presentation 

of evidence in court. Comment deadline November 11, 2019.

• ASB 117, Standard for Examination of Stamping Devices and Stamp Impressions. This new standard provides 

procedures to be used by forensic document examiners for forensic examinations and comparisons involving 

stamp impressions (often referred to as rubber stamp impressions) and stamping devices. Comment deadline 

November 11, 2019.

• ASB 110, Standard for Training in Forensic Serological Methods. This new standard provides the general 

requirements for a forensic serology training program to evaluate body fluids, stains, or residues related to 

forensic investigations. Comment deadline December 2, 2019.

• ASB 111, Standard for Training in Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis for Taxonomic Identification. This new 

standard provides requirements to ensure proper training in animal taxonomic identification based on 

mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing, data analysis, and reporting within the trainee’s forensic DNA 

laboratory. Comment deadline December 2, 2019.
OSAC Standards Bulletin – November 2019 4

• ASB 125, Organizational and Foundational Standard for Medicolegal Death Investigation. This new standard 

outlines the minimal requirements, fundamental activities, general procedures, facilities, and personnel that are 

the basic components of a medicolegal death investigation system. Comment deadline December 16, 2019.

*Please note that comments on a re-circulation will only be accepted on revised sections of a document, comments 

made to text not revised from the original comment period will not be accepted.

 

New Work Proposals for New or Revised Standards 

The following documents are being initiated and are expected to result in a new or revised standard:

ASB:

• On October 11, 2019, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page 13 in the ANSI 

Standards Action. This will begin a 30-day period for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the 

following documents:

o BSR/ASB Std 132-201x, Standard for Ancestry Estimation in Forensic Anthropology. This new standard 

will provide procedures for the estimation of ancestry from skeletal material. Specific methods and 

techniques are not included. This standard is not applicable to subadult skeletal remains, when cranial 

and postcranial features are not fully developed.

o BSR/ASB Std 133-201x, Standard for Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology. This new standard will 

provide procedures for the estimation of age from skeletal material or radiographic images. The 

document will also include the estimation of age-at-death from skeletal remains and can be applied to 

skeletal development from living individuals. Specific methods and techniques are not included in this

standard.

o BSR/ASB BPR 135-201x, Best Practice Recommendations for Anthropology Scene Detection and 

Processing. This new standard will provide forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology practitioners 

with guidelines for assisting medicolegal authorities with the discovery and recovery of human remains 

and associated evidence. These recommendations will identify procedures and methods to be used by 

practitioners on scenes that are commensurate with accepted crime scene investigation practices.

• On October 18, 2019 a PINS was published on page 18 in the ANSI Standards Action. This will begin a 30-day 

period for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the following document:

o BSR/ASB 136-201x, Forensic Laboratory Standards for Prevention, Monitoring, and Mitigation of DNA 

Contamination. This new stand will identify the requirements that a laboratory conducting STR analysis 

by capillary electrophoresis will follow to limit, detect, and mitigate contamination events as it pertains 

to forensic DNA analysis. 

• On October 25, 2019 a PINS was published on page 16 in the ANSI Standards Action. This will begin a 30-day 

period for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the following document:

o BSR/ASB Std 138-202x, Wildlife Forensics Method – Collection of Known Samples from Live Animals 

(Domestic). This new standard will provide the protocol for obtaining genetic known evidence samples 

(i.e., buccal swabs and pulled hair) for the purpose of individual matching or parentage comparison from 

live domestic animals such as dogs, cats, or livestock. 

For the ASB documents listed above, download the comment template and return it to 

 asb@aafs.org by the comment deadline. 
OSAC Standards Bulletin – November 2019 5

• On November 1, 2019 a PINS was published on page 18 in the ANSI Standards Action. This will begin a 30-day 

period for public comment on the initiation of ASB’s work on the following documents:

o BSR/ASB BPR 052-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for the Detection of Footwear and Tire 

Impression Evidence. This new document will provide stakeholders with an overview of best practice 

methods for detecting footwear and tire impressions. 

o BSR/ASB Std 137-202x, Standard for Examination and Documentation of Footwear and Tire Impression 

Evidence. This new standard will provide the examination process and minimum documentation 

requirements for relevant observations and conclusions/interpretations encountered during 

footwear/tire tread examinations.

ASTM: 

• WK70183 Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image Processing is a work item revision to existing standard 

E2825-19

• WK70187 Guide for Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for Criminal Forensic Applications

 

Other News 

On November 12, join the American Association for the Advancement of Science 

(AAAS), the Innocence Project and NIST, in collaboration with the National Academies 

of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), for a conference commemorating the 

10th anniversary of the NASEM report “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United 

States: A Path Forward,”. Featured sessions will address developments over the past 

decade in the forensic sciences and in the courts, as well as in federal agencies and in 

laboratories. Visit the event page to register and learn about new information as it 

becomes available.

View the recording from NIST and NIJ’s recent Evidence Management 

Conference to hear from law enforcement executives, criminal justice 

practitioners, policy makers, and the legal community on the important 

issues of evidence management.

Contact Teresa Ambrosius (tambrosius@aafs.org) for more information on the proposed ASB documents or to 

submit your comments. 

If you are interested in contributing your perspectives, contact Brian Milewski (bmilewski@astm.org) 

to get involved with ASTM Committee E30.