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Message from the Chair

By Laurel Farrell, FSSB Chair

I have had the honor and privilege to 

be part of OSAC and a member of 

the Forensic Science Standards Board 

(FSSB) representing the Society of 

Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) for 

seven years. I was lucky and “drew a 

long straw” back in 2014 and had a 

4-year first term! During my terms, I 

have also had the privilege of serving 

as an officer for the FSSB in a number 

of roles culminating in Chair this 

year. The end of my second 3-year 

term is approaching, and I will be 

stepping off the FSSB. With that, I’d like to share some reflections of 

the past and some comments on the future:

The expertise and dedication of OSAC members and affiliates is 

extraordinary! This has been true since the inception of OSAC and I 

know this will continue. Everyone that is working in OSAC is working 

because of the “why”. We all believe in the need for even stronger 

use of forensic science in the United States.

Inclusivity and diversity in input. The original OSAC membership 

structure was put in place to ensure that a variety of perspectives 

would be part of the process. Over these seven years, this has 

occurred and not only “hearing” but “listening” has increased! The 

input continues to get more inclusive and more diverse through 

efforts of the FSSB to engage a broader range of stakeholders. 

Focused target group meetings are happening and will continue. 

AUGUST 2021 

 

 

 

In this Issue

Message from the 

Chair

OSAC News

OSAC Registry 

Updates

OSAC Registry 

Implementation 

Corner

OSAC in the News

OSAC & Other 

Forensic Science

Events

Professional 

Organization Spotlight

NIST Research 

Activities

Laurel Farrell, FSSB Chair
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Please see the section in this Newsletter of the most recent Stakeholder meeting. An FSSB Task Group is 

looking to see if we can do even more to increase inclusivity and diversity in the membership of our 

organization. I am confident that the recognized value of different perspectives will only continue to 

grow. 

Consistency in the priority topics for standard development. These expectations were passed down 

from the FSSB in December of 2014, have remained consistent, and continue to be the focus of standard 

development work today as outlined in the OSAC Organizational Priorities & Minimum Topic 

Requirements for Standards Development. This document is under revision to better align it with the 

document categories now used to track OSAC metrics.

Continuous improvement of processes. OSAC was handed a tough assignment in 2014 which was to 

write the new management system while operating and showing productivity. That was done with full 

knowledge that changes would be made. Embracing continuous improvement is required of any 

organization that strives to be effective and efficient. Internal OSAC processes have been changed over 

the years to get input from members with different perspectives early and often during document 

development. I am excited that the FSSB has embraced a process change that when completed, will 

increase support for and promotion of OSAC member and interested party participation in the external 

to OSAC standards development process occurring in Standards Developing Organizations (SDO). This 

will get valuable comments submitted during this phase of the standard’s development where these 

comments can be considered for incorporation. 

Long-Term Strategic Plan. As an organization matures, so does its needs. The FSSB is in the process of 

developing a long-term strategic plan that will include the topics above and will detail the vision for the 

years ahead. 

Back in 2014 I was explaining this new appointment to a non-forensic, non-scientist friend. He said, “You 

are really excited about this opportunity”, to which I responded “Yes”. He said, “You really believe this is 

important work”, to which I responded “Yes”. He said, “You really think this will make a difference”, to 

which I responded “Yes”. 

My answers are the same today! I know that all of you will continue to have high expectations for 

yourselves and the work of OSAC. The work you do is important. It is already having an impact. That 

impact will continue and grow. 

I wish you all the best professionally and personally in the coming years.

Respectfully,

FSSB Chair
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OSAC News

 

OSAC is Seeking Applicants for New Forensic Nursing Subcommittee 

OSAC is looking for qualified applicants to serve 

on its new Forensic Nursing Subcommittee. An 

initial aim of this subcommittee will be to 

develop a standard sexual assault kit. In 

addition, the Forensic Nursing Subcommittee 

will draft standards for sexual assault 

examinations, for developing and validating new 

methods, and for training and continuing 

education of practitioners. While the 

subcommittee will initially focus on adult victims 

of sexual assault, future efforts may expand to 

elder abuse, child abuse and human trafficking. 

Experts in the following areas are encouraged to 

apply through August 25, 2021:

• Trained forensic practitioners (nurses, nurse practitioners, forensic medical practitioners, 

physicians, physician assistants, etc.);

• Law enforcement personnel with experience investigating sexual assaults;

• DNA examiners with experience processing sexual assault kits;

• Toxicologists with experience analyzing drug-facilitated sexual assaults;

• Representatives from sexual assault victim services organizations and advocacy groups;

• Quality managers;

• Human factors experts;

• Experts on bias and ethics;

• Legal experts; and

• Statisticians.

For more information on the Forensic Nursing Subcommittee, the application process, and selection 

criteria, visit the OSAC website. 

Want to Make an Impact? Apply to Join OSAC! 

Along with the Forensic Nursing Subcommittee, OSAC is 

currently seeking to fill member vacancies on all of its 

subcommittees and FSSB Resource Task Groups due to 

a number of membership terms that will be expiring 

this September. 

OSAC is accepting applications through August 25 for its new 

Forensic Nursing Subcommittee.
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The success of OSAC’s efforts to facilitate the development of high-quality standards and promote the 

use of those standards by the forensic science community depends on the collaboration and dedication 

of volunteers like you. 

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

science community, apply to join OSAC by August 30, 2021. Email forensics@nist.gov with any 

questions. New membership terms begin on October 1, 2021 and for those applicants not selected, 

they will remain in our application database for three years and be eligible for future membership and 

affiliate positions.

 

OSAC’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Subcommittee Publishes New Technical Guidance 

Document 

OSAC’s Fire & Explosion Investigation 

Subcommittee has published a technical 

guidance document, Strengthening Fire and 

Explosion Investigation in the United States: A 

Strategic Vision for Moving Forward, that 

describes recommendations for improving the 

practice of fire investigation. 

Learn more about this technical guidance 

document and hear from Craig Beyler, Chair of 

OSAC’s Scene Examination Scientific Area 

Committee and Philip Crombie, Chair of the 

Fire & Explosion Investigation Subcommittee, 

about its benefits for the discipline. 

 

OSAC Holds Second Stakeholder Outreach Meeting 

OSAC held its second Stakeholder Outreach Meeting on May 27, 2021 

with forensic laboratory leaders and other key decision-makers 

providing forensic services. Twenty-eight leaders representing federal, 

state, local, and private organizations from across the country 

participated in facilitated discussions to share their thoughts and 

identify opportunities for improvement related to forensic testing, 

standardization, and quality management.

The collective feedback gathered from the two-hour meeting was 

extremely valuable and will be used to help identify future collaboration 

opportunities with OSAC stakeholders as well as inform OSAC’s future 

plans and priorities. Read more about the discussion topics and key 

takeaways from this meeting in the Stakeholder Outreach Summary 

Report. 

The latest OSAC technical guidance document, Strengthening 

Fire and Explosion Investigation in the United States: A 

Strategic Vision for Moving Forward, is available on the OSAC 

website.
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OSAC Registry Updates

Registry Additions: Q3 FY 2021 

OSAC added nine standards to the OSAC Registry in FY 2021 Q3 (April 1 – June 30). These 

included the following five SDO published standards, along with the first four OSAC 

Proposed Standards.

SDO Published Standards:

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 068, Safe Handling of Firearms and Ammunition, First 

Edition, 2020 (added April 6, 2021).

• ASTM E3197-20 Standard Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris (added April 6, 

2021).

• ANSI/ASB Standard 018, Standard for Validation of Probabilistic Genotyping Systems, First 

Edition, 2020 (added May 4, 2021).

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 021, Best Practices for the Preparation of Test 

Impressions from Footwear and Tires, First Edition, 2019 (added May 4, 2021).

• ASTM E3245-20e1 Standard Guide for Systematic Approach to the Extraction, Analysis, and 

Classification of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Fire Debris Samples (May 4, 2021).

OSAC Proposed Standards:

• OSAC 2021-N-0001, Wildlife Forensics Method-Collection of Known DNA Samples from Domestic 

Mammals (added April 6, 2021). 

• OSAC 2020-N-0007, Best Practice Recommendations for the Management and Use of Quality 

Assurance DNA Elimination Databases in Forensic DNA Analysis (added April 6, 2021).

• 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). 

To access all 65 standards listed on the OSAC Registry, visit the OSAC website. OSAC encourages the 

forensic science community to implement these SDO published and OSAC Proposed Standards into their 

everyday practice. 

Click here to see and provide your feedback on the latest forensic science standards open for comment

at SDOs and under consideration for the Registry. 
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OSAC Registry Implementation Corner

OSAC Registry Implementation Survey: Your Input is Needed 

On June 10, 2021 OSAC released a survey to forensic service 

providers across the country to better understand the 

current state of OSAC Registry implementation and what 

support is needed to improve it. The survey is intended to be 

a yearly snapshot and assessment, and this first one focuses 

on 46 standards that have posted on the Registry through 

March 2021. 

We need to hear from the nation’s forensic science service 

providers! Please help us by completing this survey and join 

the over 100 participants who have already provided 

responses. 

The Registry Implementation Survey deadline has been extended to August 31, so there’s still time to 

share your feedback!

For more information and to preview and print a PDF version of the survey, visit the OSAC Registry 

Implementation Survey webpage.

OSAC Registry Implementers 

Want to know which forensic science providers have 

benefited from the OSAC Registry? Check out these stories 

and press releases highlighting the efforts of some recent 

OSAC Registry Implementers. 

Miami-Dade Police Department Forensic Services 

Bureau Awarded OSAC Registry Implementer Certificate

Courtesy of Mark Stolorow, OSAC Program Office

The OSAC Program Office awarded an OSAC Registry Implementer Certificate to the Miami-Dade Police 

Department Forensic Services Bureau on May 19, 2021. Part of the strategic initiative undertaken by 

Commander Stephanie Stoiloff and her Quality Assurance Manager included evaluating the standards 

posted on the OSAC Registry, completing a gap analysis, and assessing their laboratory’s conformance 

with applicable standards. As a result, Commander Stoiloff and her quality management team have 

implemented the standards relevant to their forensic science operations. In May, Commander Stoiloff 

completed the OSAC Standards Implementation Declaration Form and forwarded it to the OSAC 

Program Office. The Forensic Services Bureau was subsequently awarded its certificate.

Is your organization using standards on the 

OSAC Registry? Let us know!
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Commander Stoiloff has long been an active 

supporter of the development and 

implementation of standards in forensic 

science, both within her own agency, 

statewide, and nationally, working with 

professional forensic science organizations, 

professional law enforcement organizations 

and the criminal justice community. In 

describing her support for the mission of OSAC 

to facilitate the development and 

implementation of forensic science standards, 

Commander Stoiloff emphasized “In response 

to the recommendation to improve the quality 

of standards as cited in the 2009 NAS Report, 

‘Strengthening Forensic Science in the United 

States - A Path Forward,’ it was critically 

important that high quality standards be 

written by and for forensic scientists. OSAC is 

facilitating the development of high-quality 

standards that are consensus-based and technically sound to address the need to improve the practice 

of forensic science.”

Congratulations to the Miami-Dade Police Department Forensic Services Bureau for its achievement!

Phoenix Police Department Crime Laboratory Awarded OSAC Registry Implementer 

Certificate

Courtesy of Jody Wolf, Crime Laboratory Administrator, Phoenix Police Department Laboratory Services 

Bureau (LSB)

Becoming an OSAC standards implementer was easier than anyone on our 

team imagined. Since OSAC’s original development and subsequent progress, 

members of our laboratory have been involved in and supportive of the OSAC 

activities to improve the practice of forensic science. However, when it came 

to considering whether we would be able to adopt and implement those 

standards, our team was concerned it would be really challenging, cost 

prohibitive, and time consuming. Even with those concerns, our team 

recognized it was important to answer the question, “Would it be possible?” 

And, thus began our journey to become an OSAC standards implementer. 

Our laboratory is a full-service forensic laboratory accredited by ANAB to 

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and provides services in the following major areas: Crime 

Scene Response, Evidence Screening, Latent Print Comparison, Forensic DNA, 

Firearms, Controlled Substances, Toxicology, and Trace and Fire Debris 

analysis. We are committed to providing the highest quality forensic science services to our community 

with integrity, innovation, and impartiality. In pursuit of this mission, we participate in a strategic 

planning process where we identify various strategic objectives that prioritize our activities and provide 

a road map to achieve this mission. About two years ago, our leadership team formalized this

Certificate awarded to Miami-Dade Police Department Forensic 

Services Bureau for implementing standards on the OSAC Registry

Jody Wolf, Phoenix Police 

Department Laboratory 

Services Bureau
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commitment through the following strategic objective, “The LSB is committed to impartiality, integrity, 

and innovation by implementing the best scientific and quality assurance practices, fostering 

accountability, and pursuing transparency for our stakeholders.” 

With this goal in mind, our team identified several activities including an evaluation and implementation 

of the OSAC standards. Our Quality Assurance team developed a process which includes monitoring 

standards as they move through the OSAC process and when available are distributed to the various 

sections for review and evaluation. The intent is to identify those standards that can be implemented in 

full, those that can be implemented partially, and those that are not applicable to our operations. If any 

resources are needed to fully implement the standard, then those resources are also documented as a 

part of the review process and can inform future grant or capital expenditures. We have used Qualtrax 

to facilitate this process and it has made documenting this review very easy. In total, we have 

implemented 21 OSAC standards as follows: Forensic DNA-4, Fire Debris-3, Firearms & Toolmarks-1, 

Controlled Substances-2, Toxicology-4, Trace Evidence-5, and Lab-wide-2. 

Over the course of this journey, we realized our operations already complied with most of the standards 

we were reviewing. The effort to conduct the reviews was minimal as the standards available for review 

were spread out across many of our disciplines. These factors made what was originally a daunting task 

a very feasible accomplishment. Additionally, it has helped to identify resources needed to address any 

gaps identified. Our journey has been very rewarding, and we have learned so much more about our 

operations. This process further validated our commitment to quality, and we will remain engaged as 

OSAC continues to contribute to our profession.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory Recognized for Implementing National 

Science Standards

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Laboratory was the first laboratory to self-declare their 

implementation of standards on the OSAC Registry. The GBI Headquarter lab in Atlanta received the first 

OSAC Implementer Certificate in October 2019, and since then six other regional labs declared their use 

of standards representing the lab’s trace evidence, drug identification, and impressions sections. Learn 

more in their press release. 

Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory Adopts Additional National Standardization 

Procedures

Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory (MVRCL) is the first and only lab in Ohio to be recognized as an 

OSAC Registry Implementer. MVRCL has implemented the Registry standards related to biology/DNA, 

firearms and toolmarks, medicolegal death investigation, seized drugs, toxicology, trace evidence and 

interdisciplinary topics. Read more about MVRCL’s implementation efforts in their news release. 

Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories Awarded OSAC Registry Implementer Certificate

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Forensic Services issued a press release on July 1, 2021 

announcing the award of OSAC’s Registry Implementer Certificate to all three Wisconsin State Crime 

Laboratories (WSCL). You can also read about WSCL’s implementation journey in OSAC’s Spring 2021 

Newsletter. 
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Costa Rica Forensic Science Laboratory Achieves Recognition by OSAC-NIST

The Department of Forensic Sciences of the OIJ is the first international implementer of the standards 

on the OSAC Registry in areas of toxicology, ballistics, and ISO 21043-2. Read their press release here

(translation provided by Microsoft Word Translator). 

OSAC in the News

Forensic Science Organization to Draft Standards for Sexual 

Assault Examinations

NIST announced OSAC’s new Forensic Nursing 

Subcommittee, along with information about the application 

process and selection criteria for members. This press 

release was also reshared in Forensic Magazine, Evidence 

Technology Magazine, Crime Scene News, and AAFS 

Academy Newsletter. 

Advancing the Practice of Forensic Science in the United 

States – The Role of Forensic Science Standards

Beginning on page 102, this journal article in Forensic Science Review talks about the establishment of 

OSAC and its role in facilitating the development of forensic science standards. 

Houston Forensic Science Center July 2021 Newsletter

Best practice documents drafted by OSAC’s Friction Ridge Subcommittee are mentioned on page four as 

a basis for HFSC as it looks to improve communication, turnaround time, and the request process for 

latent print analysis.

Forensic Technology: Algorithms Strengthen Forensic Analysis, but Several Factors Can Affect Outcomes

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the key performance metrics, 

strengths, challenges, and policy options for forensic algorithms. This report mentions OSAC’s efforts in 

drafting standards for training and certification in the friction ridge and facial identification disciplines. 

Houston Forensic Science Center June 2021 Newsletter

HFSC talks about its implementation journey and its latest compliance to 11 standards listed on the 

OSAC Registry on page three of its June newsletter. 

Accuracy and Reproducibility of Conclusions by Forensic Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

This journal article in Forensic Science International references the terms and definitions standard 

developed by OSAC’s Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee. 

Has your organization started on its implementation journey?

Let us know so we can share your story!
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OSAC & Other Forensic Science Events

August 2021

22-26 ASCLD Annual Symposium

26 OSAC Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction 

 Subcommittee Meeting (virtual)

30-9/2 OSAC Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot 

 Residue Subcommittee Meeting (virtual)

31 OSAC Leadership Strategy Session (virtual)

September 2021

8-9 FSSB Quarterly Meeting (virtual)

29 OSAC Public Update Meeting (virtual)

30 Last day to provide input on CSAFE’s Learning 

Opportunity Survey! Share your feedback on how you 

prefer to consume learning new technologies, 

research studies and statistics.

October 2021

12-15 AFQAM Annual Training Conference

November 2021

1-5 OSAC Scene Examination SAC and Physics/Pattern Interpretation SAC Meetings (Orlando, FL)

December 2021

6-10 OSAC Medicine SAC and Digital/Multimedia SAC Meetings (Orlando, FL)

January 2022

24-28 OSAC Biology SAC, Chemistry: Seized Drugs & Toxicology SAC, and Chemistry: Trace Evidence 

SAC Meetings (location to be determined)

Mark your calendar for these upcoming OSAC 

and other forensic science events.
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Professional Organization Spotlight

The Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers 

By Chris Krug, FSSB AFQAM Representative

The Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers (AFQAM) promotes 

standardized practices and professionalism in quality assurance 

management for the forensic community. Its vision is to support and 

enhance quality assurance practices, to provide the criminal justice system 

with the highest quality of laboratory results and service and to advocate for 

forensic quality assurance standards. Since its founding in 2001 with 22 

members, the organization has grown to approximately 250 members 

representing the United States and the international forensic community. 

Members are from all levels of government laboratories, as well as private 

forensic laboratories, national/international forensic accrediting bodies, 

proficiency test vendors and additional organizations that are dedicated to 

advancing forensic quality assurance. 

AFQAM members receive many benefits critical to anyone responsible for the review, development, and 

maintenance of a forensic laboratory management system. AFQAM members are part of an engaged

and active community that supports each other through shared collective knowledge, training, and 

resources via monthly webinars, a members-only website, and discussion forum. The discussion forum 

gives members access to 250 other experts who often provide real-time information based on their 

experience, knowledge, and opinions. A robust resource library provides on-demand access to sample 

policies and forms on a variety of topics. Members also receive American Society for Quality (ASQ) 

membership, granting access to their website and vast library of resources and discounted training. The 

annual conference always provides important professional development and networking opportunities 

for anyone with quality assurance responsibilities in a forensic laboratory.

From AFQAM’s inception, the organization has been committed to activities that support quality and 

standardization within forensic laboratories. The AFQAM bylaws include the following organizational 

objectives: promotion and provision of quality assurance support, striving to ensure the criminal justice 

community receives forensic services which meet the highest standards of quality, and advocating for 

forensic science quality assurance standards. The AFQAM Outreach and Advocacy committee is 

particularly important toward these objectives. One responsibility of this committee is to advocate for 

and participate in quality assurance related activities, working groups, and committees in the forensic 

science community. As a part of this commitment, AFQAM has been an active member of the US TAG to 

ISO TC 272 in support of the development of forensic science standards for the international 

community. 

The nature of the job responsibilities of AFQAM members, and the alignment of the objectives of OSAC 

and AFQAM make for a natural collaboration in development and implementation of standards for 

forensic science. Since the start of OSAC, AFQAM members have served on what was formerly the 

Quality Infrastructure Committee, and members continue to serve throughout all levels of the 

organization. AFQAM has actively supported OSAC activities by encouraging all members to be involved 

in the standards development process and sharing strategies for implementation. Members are 

regularly made aware of current standards developing activities and other opportunities to contribute. 

Chris Krug, FSSB AFQAM 

Representative
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AFQAM identified this as a critical task because the documents that are generated by OSAC and end up 

on the Registry will likely have to be incorporated by AFQAM members in their organizations in the 

future.

More information about AFQAM and how to become a member can be found at: 

https://www.afqam.org/.

NIST Foundations & Research Activities

NIST Publishes Review of DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods

NIST has published DNA Mixture Interpretation: A Scientific 

Foundation Review which reviews the methods that forensic 

laboratories use to interpret evidence containing a mixture of DNA 

from two or more people. The draft is open for public comment 

until August 23, 2021. 

Handwriting Examiners in the Digital Age

Forensic handwriting examiners authenticate handwritten notes 

and signatures – or reveal them to be fakes – by analyzing 

distinctive features in our writing. As people write less by hand, 

will handwriting examination become irrelevant?