Trace Materials Subcommittee

The Trace Materials Subcommittee focuses on standards and guidelines related to examination and interpretation of physical evidence that may result from the transfer of small or minute quantities of materials (e.g., hairs, fibers, paint, tape, glass, geological materials).

Officers | Members | Standards | Other Work Products

Officers

Diana Wright, Ph.D., Subcommittee Chair, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory

Celeste Grover, Subcommittee Vice Chair, Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division

Jenny Lounsbury, Subcommittee Executive Secretary, Texas Department of Public Safety

Members

Trace Materials Affiliate List

Standards

On the OSAC Registry

• ASTM E1610-18, Standard Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison (added June 26, 2018 and reapproved September 5, 2023).
• ASTM E1967-19, Standard Test Method for the Automated Determination of Refractive Index of Glass Samples Using the Oil Immersion Method and a Phase Contrast Microscope (added July 7, 2020).
• ASTM E2330-19, Standard Test Method for Determination of Concentrations of Elements in Glass Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Forensic Comparisons (added July 7, 2020).
• ASTM E2808-21a, Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Paint Analysis (added February 1, 2022).
• ASTM 2809-22, Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) in Forensic Polymer Examinations (added October 4, 2022).
• ASTM E2926-17, Standard Test Method for Forensic Comparison of Glass Using Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) Spectrometry (added July 31, 2017 and reapproved September 5, 2023).
• ASTM E2927-16e1, Standard Test Method for Determination of Trace Elements in Soda-Lime Glass Samples Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Comparisons (added June 5, 2018 and reapproved September 5, 2023).
• ASTM E2937-18, Standard Guide for Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Examinations (added June 26, 2018 and reapproved September 5, 2023).
• ASTM E3085-17, Standard Guide for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations (added September 11, 2018 and reapproved September 5, 2023).
• ASTM E3233-20, Standard Practice for Forensic Tape Analysis Training Program (added November 3, 2020).
• ASTM E3234-20, Standard Practice for Forensic Paint Analysis Training Program (added November 3, 2020).
• ASTM E3260-21, Standard Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of Pressure Sensitive Tapes (added October 5, 2021).
• ASTM E3272-21, Standard Guide for Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for Criminal Forensic Applications (added September 7, 2021).
• ASTM E3294-22, Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Geological Materials by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (added December 6, 2022). 
• ASTM E3296-22, Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Polymer Examinations (added October 4, 2022).
• ANSI/ASTM 3316-22, Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Hair by Microscopy (added April 4, 2023).
• OSAC 2022-S-0015, Standard Guide for Physical Fit Examination (added November 1, 2022 and sent to ASTM for further development and publication). 
• OSAC 2022-S-0017, Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Fiber Analysis (added April 4, 2023 and sent to ASTM for further development and publication).
• OSAC 2022-N-0018, Standard Practice for a Forensic Fiber Training Program (added January 5, 2023 and sent to ASTM for further development and publication). 
• OSAC 2022-S-0019, Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Fibers (added April 4, 2023 and sent to ASTM for further development and publication).

Published by a Standards Developing Organization (SDO) & Eligible for the OSAC Registry

• ANSI/ASTM E3175-22, Practice for Training in the Forensic Examination of Hair by Microscopy.
• ANSI/ASTM E2224-2023a, Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Fibers by Infrared Spectroscopy (revision of ANSI/ASTM E2224-19).
• ANSI/ASTM E2225-23, Guide for Forensic Examination of Fabrics and Cordage.
• ANSI/ASTM E2228-2023a, Guide for Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers (revision of ANSI/ASTM E2228-22a).
• ANSI/ASTM 3254-23, Standard Practice for Use of Color in the Visual Examination and Comparison of Soil Samples.
• ANSI/ASTM E3295-23, Guide for Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence in Forensic Polymer Examinations.

Sent to an SDO for Further Development & Publication

• OSAC 2022-S-0015, Standard Guide for Physical Fit Examination (OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry). 
• OSAC 2022-S-0017, Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Fiber Analysis (OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry). 
• OSAC 2022-N-0018, Standard Practice for a Forensic Fiber Training Program (OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry). 
• OSAC 2022-S-0019, Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Fibers (OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry). 
• REVISION of ASTM E1610, Standard Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison.
• REVISION to ASTM E2227, Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Non-Reactive Dyes in Textile Fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography.
• REVISION to ASTM E2926, Standard Test Method for Forensic Comparison of Glass Using Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) Spectrometry.
• REVISION to ASTM E2927, Standard Test Method for Determination of Trace Elements in Soda-Lime Glass Samples Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Comparisons.
• REVIEW of ASTM E2937, Standard Guide for Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Examination.
• Standard Guide for the Collection, Analysis, and Comparison of Forensic Glass Samples.
• Standard Practice for the Determination and Comparison of Color by Visual Observation in Forensic Soil Examination.
• REVIEW of ASTM E3085, Standard Guide for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations.

Under Development

• OSAC 2022-S-0029, Standard Guide for Interpretation and Reporting in Forensic Comparisons of Trace Materials.
• OSAC 2023-N-0005, Standard Practice for Training a Forensic Glass Practitioner. 
• OSAC 2023-N-0011, Standard Practice for Physical Fit Analysis Training Program.
• Standard Guide for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/ Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) Analysis of Soils and Geological Materials for Forensic Applications.
• Standard Guide for the Analysis of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for Criminal Forensic Applications.
• Standard Guide for Polarized Light Microscopy of Soils and Geological Materials for Forensic Applications. 
• Standard Guide for Assessing Physical Characteristics and Using Light Microscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations.
• Standard Guide for Using Raman Spectroscopy in Forensic Polymer Examinations.
• Standard Guide for Using Light Microscopy in Forensic Paint Examinations.
• Standard Guide for Forensic Trace Evidence Recovery.
• Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Textile Damage and Textile Impressions.
• Standard Guide for for Forensic Examination of Fibers and Textiles Using Fluorescence. 

Other Work Products

• Trace Materials Crime Scene Investigation Guide. The Trace Materials Crime Scene Investigation Guide was developed by OSAC's Trace Materials Subcommittee. The guide assists crime scene teams and law enforcement officers by providing guidance on recognizing, collecting, packaging, and preserving suspected trace evidence. The guide provides detailed and illustrated chapters that each focus on a specific type of evidence.
• Trace Evidence Collection Mobile App. The Trace Evidence Collection App is a mobile app companion to the Trace Materials Crime Scene Investigation Guide. The mobile app enables the user to access, search, and reference the guide's contents at any time and in any location. With this information easily accessible, users can reference descriptions of different types of trace evidence, information about where trace evidence might be encountered in crime scenes, and instructions outlining the collection and packaging of trace evidence.  
  • These videos, demonstrating various evidence collection techniques, were produced by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) through the support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Financial Assistance Award Number 70NANB21H098. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this video are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the NIST or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Any products and manufacturers discussed are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by NIST or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Forensic Soil Evidence Collection Training Video. The former Geological Materials Subcommittee, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky, the FBI, and the IUGS-Initiative of Forensic Geology have developed a Forensic Soil Evidence Collection Training Video to accompany ASTM E3272-21, Standard Guide for the Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for Forensic Applications (on the OSAC Registry). Learn more about this project by reading our news story.  

Interlaboratory Comparisons

• In the summer of 2020, the Trace Materials SC conducted an interlaboratory data collection exercise to evaluate the draft of its Standard Practice for Interpretation and Report Writing in Forensic Comparisons of Trace Materials, with the first round of the study focusing on forensic paint analysis. The document is currently under revision (OSAC 2022-S-0029) and the draft used for the interlaboratory study is here. 
  • The published results of the Interlaboratory Exercise on forensic paint analysis is available: Interpretation and report writing in forensic comparisons of paint evidence: An interlaboratory exercise.

Reference Documents

• Development of the Term "Exclusionary Difference" and a More Uniform Use of Spectral Comparison Language
• Trace Materials Crime Scene Investigation Guide
• OSAC Materials Subcommittee's Response to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology's (PCAST) Request for Additional References

Research & Development Needs

• See the research and development needs identified by the Trace Materials Subcommittee.

Standards Development Maps

• Trace Materials Roadmap

Webinars, Presentations & Training Videos

• OSAC Trace Materials Subcommittee Update at the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) EPG Meeting (September 2018).

Discipline-Specific Bibliographies and Bibliographic References 

These documents may contain information to help forensic scientists, judges, lawyers, researchers, and other readers better understand the nature, scope, and foundations of the individual disciplines as currently practiced. The identification of these documents does not represent an endorsement by OSAC or NIST. Only standards that are posted on the OSAC Registry and Technical Guidance documents, are endorsed by OSAC. The referenced documents may be subject to copyright. Note: Subcommittee position statements or responses to data collections by the subcommittee do not necessarily represent the position of OSAC or NIST.

Materials (Trace):

• SWGMAT Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines

Fibers:

• ASTM E2227-13 Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Non-reactive dyes in textile fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography
• SWGMAT Fiber Examiner Training Program

Geological Materials:

• Best Practice Manual for the Comparison of Soil Traces 
• A Guide to Forensic Geology

Glass: 

• Forensic Glass Comparison:  Background Information Used in Data Interpretation
• SWGMAT Glass Fractures

Hair:

• Forensic Hair Comparison Background Information for Interpretation
• Response to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) publication of the “National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach” from the OSAC Materials (Trace) Subcommittee Hair Task Group
• SWGMAT Forensic Human Hair Examination Guidelines  
• SWGMAT Forensic Human Hair Examination Training Program

Paint:

• ASTM E2809-13 Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Spectrometry in Forensic Paint Examinations
• SWGMAT Forensic  Paint Examination Training Program
• SWGMAT Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Paint Examinations (Available:  JASTEE, Vol.5, Issue 1 pp 22-33)

Tape:

• SWGMAT Standard Guideline for Forensic Examination of Pressure Sensitive Tape (Available: JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1 pp 88-97)
• SWGMAT Guideline for Assessing Physical Characteristics in Forensic Tape Examinations (Available: JASTEE, Vol. 5, Issue 1 pp 34-41)
• SWGMAT Guideline for Using Light Microscopy in Forensic Examinations of Tape Components (Available: JASTEE, Vol.2, Issue 1 pp 106-111)
• SWGMAT Guideline for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations (Available: JASTEE, Vol. 2, Issue 1 pp 122-132)
• SWGMAT Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Tape Examinations (Available: JASTEE, Vol.5, Issue 1 pp 42- 51)