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In This Issue 

Message from the Chair

OSAC 2.0 Updates

OSAC Registry and Implementation Corner

OSAC in Action

OSAC Program Office News

OSAC Standards Activities at a Glance

Professional Organization Spotlight

Upcoming Events

OSAC in the News

NIST Activities

Message from the Chair

Greetings OSAC members! What an interesting time we have lived 

through since my last Message from the Chair. We are living in 

unprecedented times and the events of recent months have many

in a state of unrest and uncertainty. Through it all, the members of 

OSAC have continued to work diligently to move the forensic 

sciences in a positive and professional direction. As we continue 

through the summer, I hope and pray that you and your families 

are faring well, staying healthy and remaining safe. 

AUGUST 2020 

Steven Johnson, FSSB Chair 
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As we approach the end of FY 2020, we are nearing the completion of our sixth full year of 

existence. As a charter member of the Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB), I’ve been part 

of the OSAC mission since its inception. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by! 

Throughout it all, I’ve never ceased to be amazed at the intelligence, dedication and 

cooperation of the OSAC community. Another element impacting me personally is my second 

term as the International Association for Identification (IAI) representative to the FSSB will be 

ending this September. Per OSAC Charter and Bylaws, I will have to step away from this 

responsibility, as well as my role as FSSB chair. When I was asked in September 2017 if I would 

be willing to serve as chair, I had my doubts as to whether I was qualified. I found out soon 

enough that the exceptional leaders on the FSSB were incredibly supportive of me. I can’t thank 

them enough for “putting up” with me, and I especially want to thank the OSAC Program Office 

(OPO) for their assistance over the years. 

During these past six years I’ve renewed or initiated personal and professional relationships 

with many of you and look forward to continuing our communications and standards 

development efforts beyond my participation in OSAC. With the implementation of OSAC 2.0 

expected to be in full swing by October of this year, we have a lot of work ahead of us and the 

mission of OSAC becomes even more important as the word gets out about our great 

organization. 

The pandemic has put a significant damper on our ability to physically get together to meet, 

either as the FSSB or in plenary sessions. Who would have thought that our first plenary session 

in Norman, Oklahoma last March would be our last for the foreseeable future? When and 

where we will meet in-person again remains undetermined, but I trust that the OPO, in 

conjunction with NIST, will endeavor to make those meetings happen when the circumstances 

allow. I’m also fully confident that the OPO will do the same superb job in executing and 

managing those meetings as they have done in the past. 

Finally, I want to thank all of you for your continued hard work – it has not gone unnoticed! 

OSAC is recognized across the country and around the world as an exemplary organization. You 

can all take significant pride for your participation in our mission. I know that I am but one of 

many that will have to step away from their roles on OSAC, as roughly one-third of the 

membership will be ending their second term of service. That said, I trust those who remain 

and those who will be stepping into new positions will continue the fine work we’ve come to 

expect from OSAC. Continue to go forth and do great things! 

Respectfully submitted,

Steven Johnson, Chair

OSAC Forensic Science Standards Board
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OSAC 2.0 Updates 

The FSSB, in collaboration with the NIST’s OSAC Program Office, 

has implemented the following changes in preparation for OSAC 

2.0, set to launch on October 1, 2020.

The Scientific Area Committee (SAC) and subcommittee structure and names have been 

finalized. At their quarterly meeting this May, the FSSB reviewed the structure and names of 

the SACs and subcommittees. The following seven SACs and 22 subcommittees under OSAC 2.0 

will include:

• Biology SAC

o Human Forensic Biology

o Wildlife Forensic Biology

• Chemistry: Seized Drugs & Toxicology SAC

o Forensic Toxicology

o Seized Drugs

• Chemistry: Trace Evidence SAC

o Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue

o Trace Materials

• Scene Examination SAC

o Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction

o Dogs & Sensors

o Fire & Explosion Investigation

• Medicine SAC

o Forensic Anthropology

o Forensic Nursing

o Forensic Odontology

o Medicolegal Death Investigation & Disaster Victim Identification

• Digital/Multimedia SAC (no SC changes)

o Digital Evidence

o Facial Identification

o Speaker Recognition

o Video Imaging/Technology & Analysis

• Physics/Pattern Interpretation SAC (no SC changes)

o Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

o Firearms & Toolmarks

o Footwear & Tire
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o Forensic Document Examination

o Friction Ridge

The Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) process has been drafted and submitted to

the FSSB for review. The new STRP Terms of Reference (ToR) and Instructions for Reviewers

were presented to the FSSB at their May meeting and are currently under review for use in a 

pilot process beginning this summer.

OSAC governing and process documents have been updated. All OSAC processes, procedures, 

and ToRs were reviewed and are being updated to align with OSAC 2.0 changes. Additionally, a 

new ToR was developed for Interdisciplinary Committees and Task Groups. Once approved, 

these documents will be available on the OSAC website. 

Contact the OSAC Program Office at forensics@nist.gov with any questions about OSAC 2.0 

implementation.

OSAC Registry and Implementation Corner

OSAC Adds 11 Standards to the Registry 

The FSSB recently approved the addition of the following 11 standards to the 

OSAC Registry.

Biology/DNA

• 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. Added to the Registry on May 5

and initially developed by OSAC’s Biological Data Interpretation and 

Reporting Subcommittee, this document describes the requirements for the 

design and evaluation of internal validation studies for mixed DNA samples 

and the development of appropriate interpretation protocols for mixtures based on the 

validation studies performed. This standard applies to any type of DNA testing 

technology and methodology used where mixtures of DNA may be encountered, 

analyzed and interpreted.

• ANSI/ASB Standard 040, Standard for Forensic DNA Interpretation and Comparison 

Protocols, First Edition, 2019. Added to the Registry on May 5 and initially developed by 

OSAC’s Biological Data Interpretation and Reporting Subcommittee, this document 

describes requirements for a laboratory’s DNA interpretation and comparison protocol 

and provides direction for its development. 
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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

• ASB Technical Report 033, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, First 

Edition, 2017. Initially drafted by OSAC’s Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee, this 

is the first bloodstain pattern analysis document to be included on the Registry. Added 

on June 3, this Registry approved standard contains a list of recommended terms and 

definitions that address basic bloodstain pattern types and related concepts.

Digital Evidence

The following three standards were initially drafted by OSAC’s Digital Evidence Subcommittee

and are the first digital evidence documents to be added to the Registry, effective July 7. 

• ASTM E2916-19e1 Standard Terminology for Digital and Multimedia Evidence 

Examination. This document is a compilation of terms and corresponding definitions 

used in the examination of digital and multimedia evidence to include the areas of 

computer forensics, image analysis, video analysis, forensic audio, and facial 

identification.

• ASTM E3017-19 Standard Practice for Examining Magnetic Card Readers. This practice 

provides information on seizing, acquiring, and analyzing skimming devices capable of 

acquiring and storing personally identifiable information (PII) in an unauthorized 

manner.

• ASTM E3150-18 Standard Guide for Forensic Audio Laboratory Setup and 

Maintenance. This guide provides recommendations for the creation of a forensic audio 

laboratory space as well as the configuration, verification, and maintenance of the 

equipment contained within the lab.

Materials (Trace)

• ASTM E1967-19 Standard Test Method for the Automated Determination of Refractive 

Index of Glass Samples Using the Oil Immersion Method and a Phase Contrast 

Microscope. Added to the Registry on July 7 and initially developed by OSAC’s Materials 

(Trace) Subcommittee, this test method covers a procedure for measuring and 

comparing the refractive index at a fixed wavelength and temperature of glass from 

known sources to recovered fragments from a questioned source.

• ASTM E2330-19 Standard Test Method for Determination of Concentrations of 

Elements in Glass Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) for Forensic Comparisons. Added to the Registry on July 7 and initially developed by 

OSAC’s Materials (Trace) Subcommittee, this test method describes a procedure for the 

quantitative determination of the concentrations of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), 

iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), 

barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), and lead 

(Pb) in glass samples.
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Toxicology

• ANSI/ASB Standard 036, Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic 

Toxicology, First Edition, 2019. Added to the Registry on July 7 and initially drafted by 

OSAC’s Toxicology Subcommittee, this document defines 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), nonregulated employment drug testing, court-ordered toxicology (e.g., probation and 

parole, drug courts, child services), and general forensic toxicology (non-lethal 

poisonings or intoxications). 

Wildlife Forensics

The following two standards were initially drafted by OSAC’s Wildlife Forensics Subcommittee

and are the first wildlife forensics documents to be added to the Registry, effective June 3.

• ANSI/ASB Standard 028, Wildlife Forensics Morphology Standards, First Edition, 2019. 

This document provides minimum standards for wildlife forensic analysts in the 

subdiscipline of morphology. 

• ANSI/ASB Standard 047, Wildlife Forensics Validation Standard—Validating New 

Primers for Sequencing, First Edition, 2019. This document provides minimum 

requirements and recommendations for validating new primers for mitochondrial 

haplotyping and/or taxonomic identification via sequencing in wildlife forensic DNA 

laboratories where the sequencing (Sanger) method has already been validated.

To access these and the other 25 standards currently on the OSAC Registry, visit the OSAC 

Registry webpage. 

OSAC Registry Implementation: How to Guide Now Available 

OSAC’s mission is to facilitate the development of science-based standards and to encourage 

the use of these standards throughout the forensic science community. By adhering to the 

standards on the OSAC Registry, a laboratory can increase confidence in the accuracy, 

reliability, and reproducibility of its results. 

To help laboratories and other forensic science service 

providers (FSSPs) implement these standards, OSAC has 

developed the OSAC Registry Implementation: A How-to 

Guide. This guide describes the various pathways 

laboratories can take to incorporate OSAC Registry 

standards into their management processes and 

documents and provides examples of successful 

implementation. 
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The OSAC Registry Implementation: A How-to Guide is available on the OSAC Registry 

Implementation webpage.

If your organization has implemented standards from the OSAC Registry and would like to be a 

resource for others, let us know. Email forensics@nist.gov to share your “how-to” experience 

and help others on the journey. 

OSAC in Action

OSAC’s Digital/Multimedia Scientific Area Committee Develops New Guidance on 

Non-routine Offsite Forensic Examination of Digital/Multimedia Evidence 

The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 has led to 

social distancing, travel restrictions, and closure of 

non-essential facilities. Many organizations have 

teleworking strategies to address these constraints. 

Forensic laboratories and practitioners are not 

exempt from these circumstances, yet they must

maintain continuity of forensic examinations.

Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” approach, 

as organizations vary in their ability to support 

remote operations. What’s more, there are many 

questions about how to maintain the integrity of the process in the current situation. After 

speaking with colleagues and participating in online forums, OSAC’s Digital/Multimedia 

Scientific Area Committee published Guidance on Non-routine Offsite Forensic Examination of 

Digital/Multimedia Evidence. 

Unlike many forensic disciplines, digital/multimedia evidence examination can often be done 

remotely. The ability to forensically duplicate digital/multimedia evidence, in accordance with 

best practices, makes remote examinations possible. This established practice can be leveraged 

when coupled with a contingency plan that supports a secure remote examination environment 

that maintains evidence integrity. 

Organizations must consider the risks when conducting remote examinations. These can 

include confidentiality, integrity and fidelity risks. These risks can likely be mitigated by actions 

already implemented in an existing management system. 

The Guidance on Non-routine Offsite Forensic Examination of Digital/Multimedia Evidence is 

available on OSAC’s Digital/Multimedia Scientific Area Committee webpage.

Credit: Pixabay 
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New OSAC Technical Series Publication Available: Human Factors in Validation and 

Performance Testing of Forensic Science 

 

Research on the validity of methods and 

examiner performance plays an important 

role in advancing forensic science. OSAC has 

published a document that provides 

guidance on designing, conducting, and 

reporting this research. This new Technical 

Series Publication, Human Factors in 

Validation and Performance Testing of 

Forensic Science, brings together key points from the scientific literature on assessing human 

performance.

This publication is not a standard or guideline and offers no requirements for current or future 

practice. Rather, it is an OSAC Technical Series Publication designed to provide background and 

perspective on issues relevant to the standards development process. It was initially drafted by 

OSAC’s Human Factors Committee (now Human Factors Task Group) after several OSAC 

subcommittees asked for guidance on designing research to evaluate human performance in 

forensic science. 

This document focuses on the human element—the accuracy and consistency of examiners 

who must rely on expert judgment to complete their analyses. It discusses the strengths and 

weaknesses of several research approaches and provides suggestions on incorporating more 

and better research into standard laboratory practice. 

According to William Thompson, Chair of the Human Factors Task Group, this publication is 

“one of the most thoroughly vetted documents to emerge from OSAC.” The review process 

took over two years and involved over 300 comments and extensive revisions that were

“necessary to assure that the document addresses the diverse needs of the forensic science 

community and takes account of different perspectives.” 

The document discusses issues of critical importance to forensic scientists who design, conduct 

and evaluate research either to confirm the validity of forensic science methods or evaluate 

and improve laboratory procedures. According to Thompson, the document “is a must-read for 

laboratory directors and quality managers and will be an essential guidebook for anyone 

conducting or evaluating research on human performance in a forensic laboratory.” 

Human Factors in Validation and Performance Testing of Forensic Science is available on the 

Human Factors Task Group webpage. 

Credit: OSAC
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Calling all CSIs: Participate in a Survey and Help OSAC’s Crime Scene Investigation 

Subcommittee Make Recommendations for Future Staffing Levels 

Crime scenes are complex and the investigators who 

process them may be required to work long hours in 

poor conditions. The resulting stress and fatigue can lead 

to errors and to the burnout of personnel. 

To help address a need for research about adequate 

staffing levels at crime scenes, an independent 

investigator, in collaboration with OSAC’s Crime Scene 

Investigation (CSI) Subcommittee, has developed a 

survey to evaluate the factors that affect the quality 

and effectiveness of an investigation, determine what investigators can effectively handle 

alone, and assess when and how much extra staff is needed.

All CSI practitioners are encouraged to provide their input to this survey by August 31, 2020. 

The collected data will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and will inform OSAC’s

Crime Scene Investigation Subcommittee as it works to make discipline-wide 

recommendations for proper staffing at crime scenes. 

 

Materials (Trace) Interlaboratory Data Collection Exercise to Evaluate Draft 

Standard 

OSAC’s Materials (Trace) Subcommittee 

is conducting an interlaboratory data collection 

exercise to evaluate its draft document, Standard 

Practice for Interpretation and Report Writing in

Forensic Comparison of Trace Materials, before 

submitting it to ASTM for formal development. 

Over 100 participants have volunteered to join in 

the first round of the study, which focuses on 

forensic paint analysis. A web-based training 

session was held on June 11 to introduce the 

exercise to participants, who will work through 15 scenarios this summer. After the exercise

ends on Aug. 14, the subcommittee will use the responses to revise and finalize the draft

standard. They will also share the summary of data and results.

The draft document can be found on the Materials (Trace) Subcommittee webpage. 

If you have questions or would like to participate in the exercise, please register here.

Credit: Pixabay 

Credit: Pixabay 
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OSAC Program Office News

Calling All Forensic Science Experts 

Make an impact on the forensic science community by participating in the 

standards development process. Numerous membership terms will expire

this September and OSAC is currently looking to fill expected vacancies on its 

committees and subcommittees.

Read more about the new application process below and consider applying to 

join OSAC! 

 

Important Changes to the OSAC Application Process 

The new OSAC application form is now available. This form has been revised for 

ease of use and to limit the amount of personal identification information 

submitted online. Applicants can indicate their areas of expertise and 

preference for serving on subcommittees, Scientific and Technical Review 

Panels (read more on this below), and Interdisciplinary Committees. 

All existing members and affiliates will need to submit new applications using the new 

application form. Having all members and affiliates submit new applications will ensure all 

applicant information is current and will conform to OSAC’s future data sorting scheme.

Applications will be kept on file for three years only. After this application “reset” and to keep 

future data current, applications will be kept on file for only three years. After three years, 

members and affiliates must re-apply. The application pool will be purged on a rolling basis 

each year on October 1. 

 

Scientific and Technical Review Panels: A New Way to Become Involved in OSAC 

Do you want to participate in the standards development process but can’t commit the time to 

be an OSAC member? As part of OSAC 2.0, OSAC will be launching Scientific and Technical 

Review Panels (STRPs). In addition to forensic science practitioners, STRPs will include experts 

in scientific research, statistics, human factors, and the law. The role of the STRP will be to 

discuss and assess a standard’s scientific and technical merit and provide feedback to the 

drafting subcommittee. STRP members will share their assessment in an interim report to the 

subcommittee and in a final report for the public.
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Consider sharing your expertise! If you’d like to participate on an STRP, complete the OSAC 

application form and be sure to check the box indicating you wish to volunteer on an STRP. 

OSAC Standards Activities at a Glance

Here’s a snapshot of the status of forensic science standards on the OSAC Registry and in the 

development process for each of OSAC’s 25 subcommittees and interdisciplinary task groups: 

Key:

Tier 1: A document on the OSAC Registry; approved by OSAC with the highest level of vetting.

Tier 2: OSAC supported document that completed the SDO consensus process and was published by an SDO.

Tier 3: An OSAC draft document that was sent to an SDO for further development. The document was drafted with 

input from OSAC’s resource task groups and approved by the SAC.

Tier 4: A working draft document inside OSAC’s development process and not yet publicly available.

Tier 5: A proposed idea or concept for a standard, but not yet drafted.

For a complete list of the standards in the development process, visit the relevant OSAC 

subcommittee webpage. 
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Professional Organization Spotlight

By OSAC FSSB IAI representative Steve Johnson

The International Association for Identification 

The International Association for Identification (IAI) is the oldest and one 

of the largest associations of forensic professionals in the world. With 

over 7000 members, the IAI represents international public, private and 

government practitioners of forensic science and law enforcement.

Members range from those beginning or considering a career in 

forensics to seasoned experts. Many are considered leaders in their field. 

Many IAI members are certified in one or more of the eight disciplines 

overseen by the Forensic Certification Management Board (FCMB) and 

have received their certification from the IAI following a series of 

rigorous written and practical examinations. Those eight disciplines are 

Latent Print Examination, Tenprint Examination, Bloodstain Pattern 

Analysis, Forensic Photography, Forensic Video, Crime Scene, Footwear and Forensic Art. Over

2,300 forensic specialists are certified through the IAI and FCMB. 

The purpose of the IAI is to bring together practitioners of forensic identification, investigation, 

and scientific examination of physical evidence into an organized body and to promote 

standardization and effective scientific practice. Other goals include:

• Encouraging the enlargement and improvement of the forensic sciences.

• Encouraging research in the forensic sciences.

• Keeping members appraised of the latest techniques and discoveries in the forensic 

sciences.

• Employing the collective wisdom of the profession to advance the forensic sciences.

• Providing training, education and the publication of information in forensic science 

disciplines represented by the Association.

• Providing educational opportunities throughout the year at international and regional 

conferences. 

There are approximately 75 IAI members working to develop standards within

OSAC. Additionally, dozens of IAI members are activity involved in the standards development 

process through participation on consensus bodies and other standards development 

organization committees. In early 2014, the IAI was one of six forensic science associations 

invited to the NIST Gaithersburg campus to discuss the formation and implementation of OSAC.

Pursuant to the IAI’s goals, development and adoption of standards across the spectrum of 

forensic disciplines is essential to the services provided to our many practitioner members.

Many IAI members are serving OSAC in a leadership capacity as they apply to the specific 

disciplines represented by our Association. IAI continues to provide our members the latest 

information and accomplishments from OSAC through our annual conference and by sharing 
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OSAC’s Newsletter, In Brief and, when appropriate, blast emails in order to maintain 

transparency and clarity regarding the OSAC mission.

Upcoming Events

September 2020

1 OSAC Leadership Strategy Session (virtual)

16-17 FSSB quarterly meeting (virtual)

December 2020

7-9 Virtual meetings for Chemistry: Seized Drugs & Toxicology SAC and subcommittees, 

Chemistry: Trace Evidence SAC and subcommittees, and Biology SAC and

subcommittees

May 2021

TBD Meetings for Scene Examination SAC and subcommittees and Physics/Pattern 

Interpretation SAC and subcommittees in Orlando, Florida 

June 2021

TBD Meetings for Digital/Multimedia SAC and subcommittees and Medicine SAC and 

subcommittees in Orlando, Florida 

TBD Meetings for Biology SAC and subcommittees, Chemistry: Seized Drugs & Toxicology SAC 

and subcommittees, and Chemistry: Trace Evidence SAC and subcommittees in Orlando, 

Florida 

OSAC in the News

Development of the Term “Exclusionary 

Difference” and a More Uniform Use of 

Spectral Comparison Language

Read more from Diana Wright, chair of OSAC’s 

Materials (Trace) Subcommittee, in the July 

2020 issue of the American Society of Trace 

Evidence Examiners (ASTEE) Newsletter, page 

11, regarding a brief history of the evolution of 

the terms used to describe the differences 

between items being compared from 

“significant” to “meaningful” to “exclusionary differences”. 

Solving Daubert’s Dilemma for the Forensic Sciences Through Blind Proficiency Testing

This Houston Law Review article describes the Houston Forensic Science Center’s blind 

proficiency testing program and mentions several OSAC recommendations on the topic.

 Credit: Pixabay 
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Just a Statistical Approach to Glass Evidence

Hear from Jose Almirall, chair of OSAC’s Chemistry/Instrumental Analysis SAC, about a 

statistical approach for the interpretation of glass evidence in this Forensic Technology Center 

of Excellence podcast.

Two New Forensic DNA Standards Added to the OSAC Registry

Read about the two OSAC Registry approved standards covering the interpretation of DNA

evidence. This article was also printed in the Forensic Newsletter and Evidence Technology 

Magazine.

The ISHI Report – May 2020

Click on the Update from the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) section in this 

ISHI Report to hear from Robyn Ragsdale, chair of OSAC’s Biology/DNA SAC, and learn about the 

latest DNA standards added to the Registry.

NIST Activities 

NIST Adds New ‘Fingerprints’ to Chemical Identification Database

NIST has updated its database of mass spectra, which contains chemical fingerprints, that are 

used to identify unknown chemical compounds.

NIST to Digital Forensics Experts: Show Us What You Got

Digital forensics experts often extract data from computers and mobile phones that may 

contain evidence of a crime. Now, researchers at NIST will conduct the first large-scale study to 

measure how well those experts do their job. But rather than testing the proficiency of 

individual experts, the study aims to measure the performance of the digital forensics 

community overall.

NIST Study Measures Performance Accuracy of Contactless Fingerprint Tech

NIST has evaluated several commercially available contactless fingerprint scanning 

technologies, allowing users to compare their performance to conventional devices that require 

physical contact between a person’s fingers and the scanner.

In Glowing Colors: Seeing the Spread of Drug Particles in a Forensic Lab

Black-light videos from NIST will help crime labs manage an invisible risk.