The OSAC Registry is a repository of selected published and proposed standards for forensic science. These documents contain minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols, terminology, or other information to promote valid, reliable, and reproducible forensic results.
The standards on this Registry have undergone a technical and quality review process that actively encourages feedback from forensic science practitioners, research scientists, human factors experts, statisticians, legal experts, and the public. Placement on the Registry requires a consensus (as evidenced by 2/3 vote or more) of both the OSAC subcommittee that proposed the inclusion of the standard and the Forensic Science Standards Board.
OSAC encourages the forensic science community to implement the published and proposed standards on the Registry to help advance the practice of forensic science.
The OSAC Registry includes two types of standards:
Visit the library for a complete list of Registry Archived and forensic science standards.
Forensic Science Standards LibraryMore info | Designation Number | Title | OSAC Subcommittee(s) | Document Owner | Status | Date added to the Registry Sort ascending |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OSAC 2022-S-0003 | OSAC 2022-S-0003 Standard Practice for the Identification of Compounds Related to Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) | Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-S-0003 Standard Practice for the Identification of Compounds Related to Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-S-0003
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
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OSAC 2022-S-0002 | OSAC 2022-S-0002 Standard Practice for the Identification of Compounds Related to Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) | Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-S-0002 Standard Practice for the Identification of Compounds Related to Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-S-0002
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0035 | OSAC 2022-N-0035 Standard for On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Document Evidence | Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0035 Standard for On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Document Evidence
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0035
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0020 | OSAC 2022-N-0020 Standard for Mass Fatality Incident Management | Medicolegal Death Investigation | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0020 Standard for Mass Fatality Incident Management
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0020
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0018 | OSAC 2022-N-0018 Standard Practice for a Forensic Fiber Training Program | Trace Materials | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0018 Standard Practice for a Forensic Fiber Training Program
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0018
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-S-0029 | OSAC 2021-S-0029 Standard for Familial DNA Searching | Human Forensic Biology | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-S-0029 Standard for Familial DNA Searching
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-S-0029
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-S-0021 | OSAC 2021-S-0021 Forensic Autosomal STR DNA Statistical Analyses – General Protocol, Protocol Verification, and Case Record Requirements | Human Forensic Biology | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-S-0021 Forensic Autosomal STR DNA Statistical Analyses – General Protocol, Protocol Verification, and Case Record Requirements
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-S-0021
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-S-0013 | OSAC 2022-S-0013 Standard Guide for Testimony in Seized Drugs Analysis | Seized Drugs | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-S-0013 Standard Guide for Testimony in Seized Drugs Analysis
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-S-0013
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-S-0007 | OSAC 2022-S-0007 Standard Guide for Facial Comparison: Overview and Methodology Guidelines | Facial and Iris Identification | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-S-0007 Standard Guide for Facial Comparison: Overview and Methodology Guidelines
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-S-0007
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0010 | OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standards for Development of an Accredited Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification Program | Bloodstain Pattern Analysis | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standards for Development of an Accredited Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification Program
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0010
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0027 | OSAC 2022-N-0027 Medicolegal Death Investigation Response to Death Locations and Incident Scenes: Best Practice Recommendations | Medicolegal Death Investigation | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0027 Medicolegal Death Investigation Response to Death Locations and Incident Scenes: Best Practice Recommendations
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0027
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-S-0028 | OSAC 2021-S-0028 Standard for Use of Serological Testing Methods Associated with Forensic Investigations | Human Forensic Biology | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-S-0028 Standard for Use of Serological Testing Methods Associated with Forensic Investigations
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-S-0028
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0019 | OSAC 2021-N-0019 Standard Practice for the Documentation and Processing of Shooting Scenes | Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0019 Standard Practice for the Documentation and Processing of Shooting Scenes
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0019
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0025 | OSAC 2022-N-0025 Standard for Scene Response: Initial Response by Scene Investigators | Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0025 Standard for Scene Response: Initial Response by Scene Investigators
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0025
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0035 | OSAC 2021-N-0035 Standard Guide for Scanning Facial Images for Manual Comparison | Facial and Iris Identification | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0035 Standard Guide for Scanning Facial Images for Manual Comparison
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0035
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0012 | OSAC 2021-N-0012 Requirements and Recommendations for a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Training Program | Firearms & Toolmarks | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0012 Requirements and Recommendations for a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Training Program
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0012
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0033 | OSAC 2022-N-0033 Standard for Processing Evidence for the Detection of Friction Ridge Impressions | Friction Ridge | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0033 Standard for Processing Evidence for the Detection of Friction Ridge Impressions
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0033
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-N-0026 | OSAC 2022-N-0026 Medicolegal Death Investigation: Terms and Definitions | Medicolegal Death Investigation | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-N-0026 Medicolegal Death Investigation: Terms and Definitions
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-N-0026
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-S-0027 | OSAC 2021-S-0027 Standard Guide for Laboratory Photography | Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-S-0027 Standard Guide for Laboratory Photography
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-S-0027
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2022-S-0012 | OSAC 2022-S-0012 Standard for Proficiency Testing in Friction Ridge Examination | Friction Ridge | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2022-S-0012 Standard for Proficiency Testing in Friction Ridge Examination
Standard Number
OSAC 2022-S-0012
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0039 | OSAC 2021-N-0039 Standard for a Mentorship Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis | Bloodstain Pattern Analysis | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0039 Standard for a Mentorship Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0039
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0030 | OSAC 2021-N-0030 Terminology for a Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin | Forensic Odontology | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0030 Terminology for a Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0030
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0020 | OSAC 2021-N-0020 Best Practice Recommendations for Limited Examinations | Friction Ridge | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0020 Best Practice Recommendations for Limited Examinations
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0020
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-S-0013 | OSAC 2021-S-0013 Standard Guide for Postmortem Examination Photography | Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-S-0013 Standard Guide for Postmortem Examination Photography
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-S-0013
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Registry
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0009 | OSAC 2021-N-0009 Standard Practice for the Collection and Preservation of Organic Gushot Residue | Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0009 Standard Practice for the Collection and Preservation of Organic Gushot Residue
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0009
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0008 | OSAC 2021-N-0008 Victim Accounting: Best Practice Recommendations for Medicolegal Authorities in Mass Fatality Management | Medicolegal Death Investigation | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0008 Victim Accounting: Best Practice Recommendations for Medicolegal Authorities in Mass Fatality Management
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0008
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2021-N-0007 | OSAC 2021-N-0007 Media Communications Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority | Medicolegal Death Investigation | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2021-N-0007 Media Communications Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority
Standard Number
OSAC 2021-N-0007
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|
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OSAC 2020-S-0002 | OSAC 2020-S-0002 Physical Stability of Facial Features of Adults | Facial and Iris Identification | The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard | ||
Title
OSAC 2020-S-0002 Physical Stability of Facial Features of Adults
Standard Number
OSAC 2020-S-0002
Date added to the registry
Document Owner
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science
OSAC Committee(s)
Status
In SDO Development
OSAC Registry
OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
Public Comment Document Files
OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry
|