OSAC Standards Bulletin – July 2021

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 July 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: 4

• Standards under consideration for the Registry and open for comment: 4

• New SDO published standards: 1

• 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.

Four New Standards Added to the OSAC Registry

SDO Published Standards

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

(added July 6, 2021).
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• ASTM E1969-19 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for 

Methamphetamine and Amphetamine (added July 6, 2021).

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

and its Analogues (added July 6, 2021).

• ASTM E2882-19 Standard Guide for Analysis of Clandestine Drug Laboratory Evidence (added 

July 6, 2021).

Criminal justice agencies can access the ASTM standards listed above by visiting OSAC’s Access to 

Standards webpage. 

Standards Open for Comment

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 11:59 p.m. ET on August 2, 2021.

• OSAC 2020-S-0003, Guidelines for Performing Alcohol Calculations in Forensic Toxicology.

o OSAC 2020-S-0003 STRP Report | Subcommittee response to STRP report

• OSAC 2021-S-0006, Standard for the Use of GenBank for Taxonomic Assignment of Wildlife.

o OSAC 2021-S-0006 STRP Report

• OSAC 2021-S-0021, Forensic Autosomal STR DNA Statistical Analyses – General Protocol,

Protocol Verification, and Case Record Requirements.

o NOTE: This is the first STRP-related OSAC Proposed Standard where OSAC will have the 

STRP and Resource Task Group* reviews and the open comment period occur 

concurrently to streamline our commenting processes. 

• OSAC 2021-N-0026, Standard for Education and Training of Forensic Toxicology Personnel.

*OSAC Resource Task Group members are encouraged to review and submit comments on these 

documents to forensics@nist.gov in accordance with the STRP process.

Standards at FSSB for Vote

• ANSI/ASB Standard 023, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Isolation and Purification 

Methods, First Edition, 2020.

• ANSI/ASB Standard 110, Standards for Training in Forensic Serological Methods, First Edition, 

2020.
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• ANSI/ASB Standard 115, Standard for Training in Forensic Short Tandem Repeat Typing 

Methods, First Edition, 2020.

• ANSI/ASB Standard 116, Standard for Training in DNA Quantification Methods, First Edition, 

2020.

SDO UPDATES

New SDO Published Standards

The following standard has recently been published by ASTM:

• ASTM E2225-21 Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Fabrics and Cordage. This revised 

guide was drafted by OSAC’s Trace Evidence Subcommittee and finalized by ASTM Committee 

E30.01 and is intended to assist individuals and laboratories that conduct examinations of 

fabrics and cordage for the purposes of analyzing and comparing types of fabric, cordage, and 

damage. A complete characterization of the fabrics, including their construction and other 

materials used in the assemblage of a textile (for example, sewing thread), is a critical 

component of a comprehensive forensic fabric or cordage examination.

Standards Open for Comment at SDOs

Academy Standards Board (ASB):

• 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.

• Recirculation* – 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.

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 – July 2021

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• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 085, Standard for Detection Canine Selection, Kenneling, and 

Healthcare, First Edition, 2021. This standard covers requirements for the selection, kenneling 

and health care pertaining to detection canines. It does not include training methodology 

standards. Comment deadline July 19, 2021.

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 092, Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection 

of Explosives, First Edition, 2021. This standard provides the training requirements for a canine 

team (canine handler and canine), and details follow-on assessments for trained canine teams, 

in the field of explosives detection including traditional explosives detection canines (EDC), 

person screening canines (PSC), and explosives detection canines with person screening 

capabilities (EDC w/PSC). This standard is intended to be used as the basis for all phases of the 

training process and includes certification procedures, training and assessments, record keeping, 

and document management. Comment deadline July 19, 2021.

• Recirculation* – ASB Best Practice Recommendation 142, Best Practice Recommendations for 

the Resolution of Conflicts in Friction Ridge Examination, First Edition, 2021. This document 

provides the best practice recommendations for how to resolve conflicts between examiners at 

any point during the technical review or verification process of conflicting suitability decisions, 

conflicting source conclusions, and documentation of conflict resolution. This document does 

not address differences of opinion that occur at the consultation level or any organizational 

response once an error is discovered or the conflict(s) are resolved. Comment deadline July 19, 

2021.

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 146, Standard for Resolving Commingled Remains in Forensic 

Anthropology, First Edition, 2021. This document provides laboratory and field procedures and 

requirements for resolving commingled remains. The techniques presented include size, age, 

and sex similarities, articulation between skeletal elements, taphonomic similarities, and 

reconstruction of fragmentary remains. The document also describes the determination of MNI 

(Minimum Number of Individuals), as well as the LI (Lincoln Index) and MLNI (Most Likely 

Number of Individuals) based on the number of paired and unpaired bones. Comment deadline 

July 19, 2021.

• ASB Standard 138, Standard for Collection of Known DNA Samples from Domestic Mammals, 

First Edition, 2021. This standard provides the protocol for obtaining genetic known evidence 

samples (i.e., buccal swabs and pulled hair) for the purpose of genetic analysis from domestic 

animals such as dogs, cats, or livestock. This standard does not address sampling of nondomesticated animals. Comment deadline August 9, 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.

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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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 June 25, 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 document:

o BSR/ASB 172, Standard for Examination of Mechanical Checkwriters and their 

Impressions. This standard provides procedures for determining classification 

information and machine identification of mechanical checkwriters. These procedures 

include evaluation of the material. These procedures are applicable whether the

examination and comparison is of questioned and known items or of exclusively 

questioned items.

ASTM:

• WK77471 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine is a work 

item revision to existing standard E1968-19 developed by Committee E30.01. 

• WK77472 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Methamphetamine 

and Amphetamine is a work item revision to existing standard E1969-19 developed by 

Committee E30.01. 

• WK77473 Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Phencyclidine and 

its Analogues is a work item revision to existing standard E2125-19 developed by Committee 

E30.01. 

• WK77530 Practice for Core Forensic Responsibilities Training developed by Committee E30.11.

OTHER NEWS 

Apply to Join OSAC!

The success of OSAC’s efforts to facilitate the development of technically sound forensic 

science standards depends on the collaboration and dedication of volunteers who have 

expertise in a broad array of forensic science disciplines as well as scientific research, 

statistics, law, and policy. OSAC is currently seeking to fill member vacancies on its 

committees and subcommittees due to a number of membership terms that will be 

expiring this September. 

If you want to participate in the standards development process and make an impact on the forensic 

science community, please submit an application to be eligible and considered for the positions opening 

in October. 
OSAC Standards Bulletin – July 2021

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Call for Nominations for OSAC’s Sharon B. Nakich Award

OSAC is seeking nominees to receive the 2021 Sharon B. Nakich 

Award. This OSAC peer-to-peer award is in honor of our colleague, 

Sharon Nakich, and acknowledges a helpful attitude, kindness, 

teamwork, or behind-the-scenes contributions to support the goals of 

OSAC. It recognizes an individual who has made significant 

contributions to promote OSAC’s mission through his or her support 

of OSAC. 

This nominee works diligently and tirelessly as a champion for OSAC, at times without recognition. 

All OSAC members and affiliates are eligible for this award, as well as any non-OSAC member who has 

contributed significantly to furthering the mission of OSAC. 

To submit your nomination, send two or more narrative statements from at least two individuals that 

include, but are not limited to a description of:

• Specific activities the nominee was involved in that had a positive effect in supporting OSAC’s 

mission.

• How the individual’s actions helped the organization further its goals.

• The nominee’s willingness to go the extra mile.

All nominations should be submitted to Laurel Farrell (ljfarrellco@msn.com) by August 1.

OSAC Registry Implementation Survey: Your Input Needed

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 

have released a survey to 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 46 Registry standards posted through March 2021.

The survey will close August 20 and results 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.

Other Forensic Science News, Events & Training

NIST Publishes Review of DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods

On June 9, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published a scientific foundation

review of DNA mixture interpretation methods. The draft report, which is open for public comment until

August 9 before being published in final form, reviews the methods that forensic labs use to interpret

evidence containing a mixture of DNA from two or more people. Read more here.

Sharon Nakich
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National Institute of Justice

Subscribe to NIJ’s forensic list (https://nij.ojp.gov/subscribe) to see the latest NIJ awards, solicitations,

events, and publications.

Forensic Technology Center of Excellence

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

forensic technologies and emerging challenges. Check out the latest Just Science podcasts to hear more

about forensic anthropology and pathology, and impression, pattern, and trace evidence research in

NIJ’s 2021 R&D and Beyond mini season. Also register for the webinar, Novel Psychoactive Substance

Naming Conventions & Challenges on July 22.