OSAC Technical Guidance Documents

OSAC Technical Guidance Documents are OSAC produced and published documents that support the development or implementation of a standard. These documents are not standards and will not go through the consensus process at a standards developing organization (SDO). They provide a way to share information that was gathered during the standards analysis and development process but will not be part of a standard. OSAC Technical Guidance Documents (previously referred to as OSAC Technical Series Publications) address one of the following topics:

• Conceptual structure or framework related to development or implementation of standards.
• Standards needs and gaps in specific forensic science disciplines.
• Lessons learned and recommendations for the development and implementation of standards.
• Guidance for the implementation of standards. 

OSAC Technical Guidance Documents include:

• Human Forensic DNA Reporting Appendix Exemplar, August 2025
• Framework for Implementing Passive Live Facial Recognition, January 2024.
• Introduction to Application Profiles for Facial Searching, October 2023.
• Issues in Data Processing and Relevant Population Selection, November 2022.
• Strengthening Fire and Explosion Investigation in the United States: A Strategic Vision for Moving Forward, April 2021.
• Human Factors in Validation and Performance Testing of Forensic Science, March 2020.
• OSAC Annual Report: February 2017 - February 2018, February 2018.
• A Framework for Harmonizing Forensic Science Practices and Digital/Multimedia Evidence, January 2018, revised February 2019.
• OSAC Annual Report: February 2016 - February 2017, February 2017.