Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
The Forensic Science Standards Synergy Summit will bring together leadership from various standards developing organizations (SDOs), accrediting bodies, the Organization of Scientific Area (OSAC) Committees for Forensic Science and NIST to discuss and collaboratively explore ways to increase harmonization of existing forensic science standards, identify gaps, reduce duplication of effort, and develop strategies for greater alignment in future standardization efforts.
Agenda
DAY 1 (9:00 am – 5:30 pm ET) |
| Welcome and Introductions |
| Session 1: Framing the Issues |
| This introductory session will discuss the role of the standards development system in the United States, provide a historical overview of forensic science standards development, and outline the importance of the activities to be conducted during this summit. |
| Session 2:Part I and II: Forensic Science Standards: SDO Perspectives |
| During this two-part session, the standards development entities in attendance will be invited to present overviews of their organization and discuss the challenges they have encountered, the solutions they have found, and the strategies they have developed for publishing high-quality forensic science standards. The goal of these sessions will be to provide an opportunity for the standards developers in attendance to learn from one another. |
| Session 3: Broader Perspectives on Standards Development and Implementation |
| This session will focus on the interface between standards and accreditation and how accreditation might shape standards development. This session will also include a broader view of standards development and how forensic science standards can benefit from lessons learned and infrastructure created in the non-forensic science standards development world. |
| Session 4: Breakout: Interdisciplinary Standards Mapping Exercise |
| Attendees will be divided into three groups to work through an interdisciplinary mapping exercise, with each group covering one of three topics (1-Terminology, 2-Training, or 3-Reporting). As they proceed through the exercise, each group will identify areas with opportunities for simplification and harmonization, document gaps and communication challenges, and identify other perceived challenges. |
| Session 5: Group Presentations from Breakout |
| Each group will select a spokesperson to present their observations and challenges, and the strategies used for the review. These observations, challenges, and strategies will serve as the foundation for roundtable discussions on Day 2. |
| Day 1 Wrap-up and Closing Remarks |
DAY 2 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm ET) |
| Welcome and Recap of Day 1 |
| Sessions 6 – 8: Roundtable Discussions |
| During this three-part roundtable discussion, participants will discuss opportunities to simplify and harmonize forensic science standards, identify gaps and brainstorm strategies to fill them, and address and work through some identified challenges together. |
| Session 9: Where to Next? Developing Collaborative Strategies for Success |
| This session will provide an opportunity to discuss potential deliverables and next steps. |
Security Instructions
Visitor Access Requirement:
- For Non-US Citizens: Please have your valid/non-expired passport for photo identification.*
- For US Permanent Residents: Please have your valid/non-expired green card for photo identification.*
- For US Citizens: Please have your valid/non-expired state-issued driver's license. NIST will only accept a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. Visitors with state-issued identification must now present a REAL ID or a different form of government-issued photo identification, such as: a valid/non-expired passport, passport card, DOD's Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, and Military Dependents ID.*
*Use of apps, physical photocopies, and/or digital screenshots of your ID, Passport or Green card will not be accepted.
Failure to show proper valid and compliant/non-expired photo identification upon check-in will result in denied entry into the facility.
For more information please visit our Campus Access and Security page.