OSAC Standards Bulletin

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.

 

Six New Standards Added to the OSAC Registry

SDO Published Standards

• ANSI/ASB Standard 023, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Isolation and Purification Methods, First Edition, 2020 (added August 3, 2021). 
• ANSI/ASB Standard 110, Standards for Training in Forensic Serological Methods, First Edition, 2020 (added August 3, 2021). 
• ANSI/ASB Standard 115, Standard for Training in Forensic Short Tandem Repeat Typing Methods using Amplification, DNA Separation, and Allele Detection, First Edition, 2020 (added August 3, 2021). 
• ANSI/ASB Standard 116, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Quantification Methods, First Edition, 2020 (added August 3, 2021). 

OSAC Proposed Standards

• OSAC 2021-N-0007, Media Communications Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority (added August 3, 2021). 
• OSAC 2021-N-0008, Victim Accounting: Best Practice Recommendations for Medicolegal Authorities in Mass Fatality Management (added August 3, 2021). 

Standards Open for Comment for OSAC Registry Approval

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 [at] nist.gov (comments[at]nist[dot]gov) by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 6, 2021.

• OSAC 2021-S-0027, Standard Guide for Laboratory Photography.
• OSAC 2021-S-0028, Standard for Use of Serological Testing Methods Associated with Forensic Investigations.
• OSAC 2021-S-0029, Standard for Familial DNA Searching.
• OSAC 2021-S-0036, Standard Guide for Image Authentication.

note: Osac resource Task Group members are encouraged to review these draft OSAC Proposed Standards and submit comments to forensics [at] nist.gov (forensics[at]nist[dot]gov) in accordance with OSAC's REVISED processes.

Visit the OSAC website to see all the standards under consideration for the OSAC Registry, along with their status in the Registry approval process. 

New SDO Published Standards

On July 26, 2021, the Academy Standards Board (ASB) published the following standard:

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 094, Postmortem Impression Recovery: Guidance and Best Practices for Disaster Victim Identification, First Edition, 2021. This standard, initially drafted by OSAC’s Medicolegal Death Investigation Subcommittee and finalized by ASB’s Disaster Victim Identification Consensus Body, provides guidance on, and highlights challenges associated with, obtaining postmortem prints from decedents and/or human remains in morgue operations associated with mass fatality disaster incidents.

Standards Open for Comment at SDOs

ASB: For the ASB documents listed below, download the comment template and return it to asb [at] aafs.org (asb[at]aafs[dot]org) by the comment deadline.

• 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 non-domesticated animals. Comment deadline August 9, 2021.
• ASB Standard 039, Standard for Internal Validation of Human Short Tandem Repeat Profiling on Capillary Electrophoresis Platforms, First Edition, 2021. This document details requirements for performing an internal validation of a human short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex kit using capillary electrophoresis (CE). Comment deadline August 30, 2021.
• ASB Best Practice Recommendation 129, Best Practice Recommendations for Internal Validation of Human Short Tandem Repeat Profiling on Capillary Electrophoresis Platforms, First Edition, 2021. This document provides best practice recommendations for performing an internal validation of a human short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex kit using capillary electrophoresis (CE). This document is to be used as a companion document to the ASB Standard 39, Standard for Internal Validation of Human Short Tandem Repeat Profiling on Capillary Electrophoresis Platforms. Comment deadline August 30, 2021.
• ASB Standard 154, Standard for Training on Testimony for Forensic Biology, First Edition, 2021. This document provides minimum training program requirements for forensic biology practitioners on scientific and legal principles necessary to testify. Comment deadline August 30, 2021.

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 July 9, 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:
  • BSR/ASB 173, Standard for Education and Training of Forensic Toxicology Personnel. This document provides minimum requirements for educational qualifications, training, competency, experience, continuing education, and certification of laboratory personnel performing or overseeing forensic toxicology analysis and breath alcohol instrument calibration. This applies to the following sub-disciplines: postmortem toxicology, human performance toxicology (e.g., drug-facilitated crimes and driving-under-the-influence
    of alcohol or drugs) and other forensic testing (e.g., court-ordered toxicology, general forensic toxicology). Laboratory personnel that exclusively perform administrative or non-technical duties are outside the scope of this document.

Apply to Join OSAC!

OSAC is currently seeking to fill member vacancies on its committees, including its new Forensic Nursing Subcommittee. 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 Registry Implementation Survey: Your Input Needed

There’s still time to participate in OSAC’s Registry Implementation Survey!  We need to hear from your organization so we can better understand the current state of Registry implementation and what support forensic service providers need to improve standards 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. For more information and to preview a PDF version of the survey, visit the OSAC website. If you have any questions, please email the OSAC Program Office at forensics [at] nist.gov (forensics[at]nist[dot]gov).

Other Forensic Science News, Events & Training

Provide Comments on Three TWG3D2T Documents

The Toolmark Technologies Technical Working Group (TWG3D2T) is seeking feedback on the following three documents:

• Bylaws
• Appendix A
• Appendix B

Click on each of the document links above to submit your comments. The public comment period is open until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2021.

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.

Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE)

CSAFE is offering two online short courses designed to introduce probability and statistics concepts to forensic practitioners. The short courses are free of charge, but registration is required. 

Upcoming Webinar: A Survey of Fingerprint Examiners’ Attitudes towards Probabilistic Reporting | September 22 | 11:00 a.m. – noon CDT.  

Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE)

NIJ’s FTCoE, provides evidence-based resources about forensic technologies and emerging challenges. Recent FTCoE activities include three new Just Science podcasts, all part of the Research and Considerations for Sexual Assault Cases season.

Upcoming Webinar: Best Practices for Digital Image Processing | August 5 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET.