OSAC Standards Bulletin – June 2021

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 June 2021

This Standards Bulletin from the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science 

provides a monthly update on:

• Standards moving through the OSAC Registry approval processes for published and OSAC 

Proposed Standards. 

• Standards moving through the development process at standards developing organizations 

(SDOs).

Bulletin Summary:

• New standards added to the OSAC Registry: 3

• Standards under consideration for the Registry and open for comment: 9 (4 SDO published and 

5 OSAC Proposed Standards)

• New SDO published standards: 2

• Standards open for comment at SDOs: 7

OSAC REGISTRY UPDATES

The OSAC Registry is 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.

Three New Standards Added to the OSAC Registry

SDO Published Standards

• ASTM E2548-16 Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative 

Analysis. Added June 1, 2021, this version will replace the 2011 version on the Registry.
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OSAC Proposed Standards

• OSAC 2020-S-0002, Physical Stability of Facial Features of Adults (added June 1, 2021).

• OSAC 2020-S-0004, Standard for Interpreting, Comparing and Reporting DNA Test Results 

Associated with Failed Controls and Contamination Events (added June 1, 2021).

Standards Open for Comment

OSAC Registry Approval Process for Published Standards

The OSAC Registry approval process for published standards is used to review existing SDO published 

standards for technical quality and placement on the Registry. Please submit your comments by the 

deadline on whether the following SDO published standards should be included on the Registry.

Comment deadline June 4, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. ET:

• ANSI/ASB Technical Report 051, Scope of Work for a Footwear/Tire Examiner, First Edition, 2020. 

Submit your comments here. 

• ASTM E3272-21 Standard Guide for the Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for 

Criminal Forensic Applications. Submit your comments here. 

• ADA Technical Report 1077-2020 Human Age Assessment by Dental Analysis. Submit your 

comments here.

Comment deadline July 1, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. ET:

• ANSI/ASB Standard 093, Standard Test Method for the Forensic Examination and Testing of 

Firearms, First Edition, 2020. Submit your comments here. 

OSAC Registry Approval Process for OSAC Proposed Standards

The OSAC Registry approval process for OSAC Proposed Standards is used to review OSAC drafted 

standards for technical quality and placement on the Registry. The following OSAC draft 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 draft is 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@nist.gov by the deadline.

Comment deadline June 4, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. ET:

• OSAC 2021-N-0020, Best Practice Recommendations for Limited Examinations.

• OSAC 2021-N-0025, Standard Guide for Printing Method Effects on Facial Comparisons.
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Comment deadline July 1, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. ET:

• OSAC 2021-N-0007, Media Communications Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Best Practice 

Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority.

• OSAC 2021-N-0008, Victim Accounting: Best Practice Recommendations for Medicolegal 

Authorities in Mass Fatality Management.

• OSAC 2021-S-0014, Standard for Reference Collections in Wildlife Forensic Biology: Genetics and 

Vertebrate Morphology.

Standards at FSSB for Vote

• ASTM E1968-19 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine.

• ASTM E1969-19 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for 

Methamphetamine and Amphetamine.

• ASTM E2125-19 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Phencyclidine 

and its Analogues.

SDO UPDATES

New SDO Published Standards

The following standards have recently been published by ASB:

• ANSI/ASB Standard 130, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Amplification Methods for 

Subsequent Capillary Electrophoresis Sequencing, First Edition, 2021. This standard, originally 

drafted by OSAC’s Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee and finalized by ASB’s DNA Consensus 

Body, provides the general requirements for a forensic DNA laboratory’s training program in 

forensic DNA amplification methods for subsequent capillary electrophoresis (CE) sequencing. 

This standard applies to forensic human and wildlife mitochondrial DNA amplification, and 

wildlife nuclear DNA amplification.

• ANSI/ASB Standard 134, Standard for Analyzing Pathological Conditions and Anomalies in 

Forensic Anthropology, First Edition, 2021. This standard, originally drafted by OSAC’s Forensic 

Anthropology Subcommittee and finalized by ASB’s Anthropology Consensus Body, sets forth 

techniques and approaches for describing, documenting, interpreting, and reporting 

pathological conditions and anomalies from skeletal and dental material and/or radiographic 

Is your organization implementing standards on the OSAC Registry? 

Complete OSAC’s Standards Implementation Declaration Form and send it

to mark.stolorow@nist.gov to let us know. 

Share your implementation experience and be featured in a future OSAC news post.
OSAC Standards Bulletin – June 2021

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images. It does not provide guidance for distinguishing between anomalies and normal skeletal 

variation, nor does it address cause and manner of death classification or skeletal trauma.

Standards Open for Comment at SDOs

Academy Standards Board (ASB):

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 054, Standard for a Quality Control Program in Forensic 

Toxicology Laboratories, First Edition, 2021. This document establishes minimum requirements 

for quality control practices in forensic toxicology laboratories. The document explains the 

importance of a quality control program, how to select and care for materials used to prepare

quality control samples, proper preparation and use of calibrator and control samples, and 

requirements for their use in different types of assays. The document also provides direction for 

the review and monitoring of quality control data in forensic toxicology laboratories. This 

standard applies to laboratories performing forensic toxicological analysis in the following subdisciplines: postmortem forensic toxicology, human performance toxicology (e.g., drugfacilitated 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). It is not 

intended for the area of breath alcohol toxicology. Comment deadline June 14, 2021.

• Recirculation* – ASB Best Practice Recommendation 060, Guidelines for Barrel and Overall 

Length Measurements for Firearms, First Edition, 2021. This document provides guidelines for 

measuring and reporting barrel length and overall length (BL-OL) of firearms, including 

guidelines for measurement traceability and estimating uncertainty of BL-OL measurements. 

This document does not apply to descriptive measurements of firearms. Comment deadline 

June 14, 2021. 

• ASB Standard 157, Required Components for a Proficiency Testing Program in Bloodstain Pattern 

Analysis, First Edition, 2021. This standard establishes required components of a proficiency 

testing program in bloodstain pattern analysis. Components covered in this standard include the 

testing scheme, general test design, etc. It does not include specific test content. Comment 

deadline June 21, 2021. 

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 158, Standard for Developing Standard Operating Procedures in 

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, First Edition, 2021. This standard provides guidance on the 

development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that are a component of the quality 

assurance program for bloodstain pattern analysis. The standard specifies SOP requirements for 

equipment, materials, reagents, calculations, documenting limitations, safety and the 

generation of reports. The standard is applicable to scene, laboratory and remote examinations.

Comment deadline June 21, 2021. 

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 152, Standard for the Minimum Content Requirements of Forensic 

Toxicology Procedures, First Edition, 2021. This document provides requirements for the 

minimum content of analytical procedures in forensic toxicology. This standard applies to 

laboratories performing forensic toxicological analysis in the following sub-disciplines: 

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, breath alcohol), 
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and general forensic toxicology (non-lethal poisonings or intoxications). Comment deadline July 

5, 2021.

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 127, Standard for the Preservation and Examination of Charred 

Documents, First Edition, 2021. This document establishes the minimum required procedures 

used by Forensic Document Examiners (FDEs) in the preservation of, examination of, and 

reporting on charred documents. This generally includes the examination of charred documents 

for content (writing, printing), material (paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.) and source 

determination. This does not include chemical examination of documents for accelerants or 

source of combustion. Comment deadline July 12, 2021.

• ASB Standard 128, Standard for the Preservation and Examination of Liquid Soaked Documents, 

First Edition, 2021. This document establishes the minimum required procedures used by 

Forensic Document Examiners (FDEs) in the preservation of, examination of, and reporting on 

liquid-soaked documents. This generally includes the examination of documents exposed to 

liquids (water, blood, oils, etc.) for content (writing, printing), material (paper, cardboard, 

plastic, etc.), and source determination. This standard does not include the examination of 

documents for the identification of the liquid contaminate(s). Comment deadline July 12, 2021.

*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.

Work Proposals for New or Revised Standards

The following documents are being initiated and are expected to result in new or revised standards.

ASB:

• On May 7, 2021, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page two 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 169, Standard for Veterinary Forensic Live Animal Examination. This document 

provides minimum requirements for the forensic veterinary examination of a live animal 

and the collection of physical evidence. This includes the physical examination, ancillary 

testing, documentation, evidence handling, and training specific to the examination of 

live animals encountered in potential civil or criminal forensic cases involving animals.

o BSR/ASB 170, Standard for Veterinary Forensic Postmortem Examination. This standard 

defines services rendered by a veterinarian acting in a forensic capacity and performing

veterinary forensic postmortem examinations. The standard establishes minimum 

practices and procedural requirements for receipt of the body, external and internal 

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

asb@aafs.org by the comment deadline. 
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examinations, identification, documentation, and sets ancillary testing and diagnostic 

support requirements. The standard also provides a reference for legal or law

enforcement professionals.

• On May 14, 2021, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page two 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 165, Best Practice Recommendation for Analysis of Friction Ridge Impressions. 

This document provides the best practice recommendations for the analysis of friction 

ridge impressions as part of the Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation examination 

methodology. These recommendations include how to assess, document the quality of 

friction ridge detail, categorize impressions based on their complexity, and document 

the utility of impressions for further examination. This document does not address the 

comparison or evaluation stages of the friction ridge examination methodology.

o BSR/ASB 166, Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction 

Ridge Impressions. This document provides the best practice recommendations for the 

comparison and evaluation of friction ridge impressions as part of the Analysis, 

Comparison, and Evaluation examination methodology. These recommendations 

include how to categorize comparisons between two friction ridge impressions on the 

basis of their complexity and specifies the criteria for supporting Source Conclusions. 

This document does not address the analysis stage of the friction ridge examination 

methodology.

o BSR/ASB 167, Standard for Reporting Results from Friction Ridge Examinations. This 

document prescribes the minimum administrative and technical information that are 

required to be included in friction ridge examination reports. This document does not 

include the requirements for supporting documentation of reported elements (e.g., case 

notes, custody documents, etc.) or testimony.

o BSR/ASB 168, Best Practice Recommendation for Testimony Monitoring in Friction Ridge 

Examination. This document provides the best practice recommendations for Forensic 

Service Providers (FSP) to review the appropriateness of testimony provided by its 

personnel related to friction ridge examination. Recommendations include how to 

review testimony and assess whether methods, limitations, and interpretations of work 

performed were conveyed in accordance with established best practices. This document 

does not address the Technical Review of case files or results of friction ridge 

examinations.

• On May 28, 2021, a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) was published on page two 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 161, Best Practice Recommendation for Creating Known Distance Witness 

Panels and Estimating the Associated Measurement Uncertainty. This best practice 

recommendation provides guidelines for the creation of known-distance witness panels 
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for use in muzzle-to-target distance determination testing. This includes guidelines for 

measurement traceability and estimating the uncertainty of measurement of distance 

regarding the creation of witness panels.

o BSR/ASB 162, Standard for the Forensic Examination and Documentation of Non-Firearm 

Tools and Toolmarks. This document provides procedures for the examination, 

documentation, and reporting of non-firearm tools and toolmarks by forensic toolmark 

examiners. This document does not cover the microscopic comparison of toolmarks.

o BSR/ASB 164, Standard Test Method for Muzzle to Target Distance Determinations. This 

standard provides procedures for the visual, microscopic, and chemical processing of 

items for the determination of muzzle-to-target distance, including the comparison of 

known-distance witness panels to the questioned item. This standard contains 

procedures for the analysis of both gunshot residue patterns and the impact pattern 

from multiple projectile ammunition (e.g., shotshells). This standard does not cover 

creation of witness panels or procedures for estimating associated measurement 

uncertainty of distance.

o BSR/ASB 171, Best Practice Recommendations for the Management and Use of Quality 

Assurance DNA Elimination Databases to Detect and Monitor Contamination in Forensic 

DNA Analysis. This document provides best practice recommendations for collecting, 

storing, searching, and retaining DNA profiles for quality assurance purposes. This 

document addresses the use of quality assurance databases as a method to detect and 

monitor contamination.

OTHER NEWS 

Coming Soon: OSAC Registry Implementation Survey

OSAC is seeking to understand how organizations are using standards on the OSAC 

Registry and what support they need to improve implementation. To do that, we will be 

releasing the first of an annual survey that will assess the current state of Registry 

implementation. The survey is intended to be a yearly snapshot and assessment, and the 

first one will cover the Registry standards posted through March 2021. 

The survey is expected to open June 10 and will close August 20. Results of the survey will be shared in 

OSAC’s Fall Newsletter/Annual Report, later in October. If you have any questions, please email the 

OSAC Program Office at forensics@nist.gov.
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Other Forensic Science News, Events & Training

Reminder: NIJ Proposals for Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice

Purposes Due June 3

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is seeking proposals for rigorous basic or applied research and

development projects in forensic science. Need ideas for projects? Check out the research and

development needs identified by OSAC’s subcommittees.

Learn more and apply by June 3, 2021.

CSAFE Updates

Our colleagues at the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE) will be hosting

their 2021 Field Update on June 14 from 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. CDT. During this event, CSAFE researchers

will highlight the Center’s current research projects and give you information and tools you can use. The

Field Update will also provide you a chance to give feedback, suggestions or ask questions. This event is

free, open to the public, and registration is required. See the agenda and register here.

ASB Updates

AAFS and ASB will be hosting a webinar, Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in Forensic

Toxicology, on June 17 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 ET. This webinar, featuring several OSAC members, will

provide:

• An introduction of ASB and the SDO process

• Information on why metrological traceability is important

• A walkthrough of ANSI/ASB Standard 017, Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in

Forensic Toxicology

• Details on how ASB 017 applies to specific clauses of ISO/IEC 17025 and ANAB AR 3125

• A live Q&A session

There is a $25 registration fee to attend. Click here for more information and to register.

FTCoE Updates

NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE), provides evidence-based resources about

forensic technologies and emerging challenges. Check out their upcoming activities, including several

ASCLD Train the Directors Series webinars on successful onboarding in crime labs and firearms 3D

technology. Also listen to past episodes of the Just Science podcasts from their Sexual Assault

Awareness Month mini season.

Visit the FTCoE website for other resources and forensic science events.
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Get Involved with OSAC

OSAC offers a variety of ways for members, affiliates, and other experts in the forensic 

science community to participate in the standards advancement process. Click here to 

learn how you can help make an impact on the forensic science community through 

standards.