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The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science

OSAC Registry

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:

  • SDO-published standards have completed the consensus process of an external standards developing organization (SDO) and have been approved by OSAC for placement on the Registry.
  • OSAC Proposed Standards have been drafted by OSAC and given to an SDO for further development and publication. They have undergone the same OSAC technical and quality review process as the SDO-published standards on the Registry. Each OSAC Proposed Standard may be revised during the SDO development process; once available, an SDO-published standard will replace the OSAC Proposed Standard on the Registry after completing the technical and quality review at OSAC. To help fill the standards gap while an SDO completes its process, OSAC encourages the forensic science community to implement the OSAC Proposed Standards.

Visit the library for a complete list of Registry Archived and forensic science standards.

Forensic Science Standards Library
Learn how to implement the standards on the OSAC Registry and share your implementation progress.
OSAC Registry Implementation

OSAC Registry

235
OSAC Registry
157
SDO-Published
78
OSAC Proposed
Searches the number, title, subcommittee and owner for all keywords
Displaying 1 - 50 of 78
Export results (CSV)
More info Designation Number Title OSAC Subcommittee(s) Document Owner Status Date added to the Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0025 OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and Training in Forensic Odontology Forensic Odontology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2025-N-0003 OSAC 2025-N-0003 Standard Terminology for Shooting Reconstruction Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2025-N-0002 OSAC 2025-N-0002 Standard for Qualifications for Forensic Anthropology Practitioners Forensic Anthropology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0014 OSAC 2023-N-0014 Standard for the Medical Forensic Examination in the Clinical Setting Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2025-N-0017 OSAC 2025-N-0017 Standard Terminology Relating to Trace Materials Analysis Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-S-0012 OSAC 2024-S-0012 Standard Practice for the Forensic Analysis of Geological Materials by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-S-0002 OSAC 2024-S-0002 Standard Test Method for the Examination and Comparison of Toolmarks for Source Attribution Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-S-0028 OSAC 2023-S-0028 Best Practice Recommendations for the Resolution of Conflicts in Toolmark Value Determinations and Source Conclusions Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0012 OSAC 2023-N-0012 Best Practice Recommendations for the Acceptance of a Request for Friction Ridge Examinations Friction Ridge The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0037 OSAC 2022-S-0037 Standards for DNA-based Taxonomic Identification in Forensic Entomology Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0032 OSAC 2022-S-0032 Best Practice Recommendation for the Chemical Processing of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence Footwear & Tire The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-N-0010 OSAC 2024-N-0010 Requirements and Recommendations for Competency Testing in Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Laboratories Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-N-0005 OSAC 2024-N-0005 Standard Training Guideline for Iris Image Examiners Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-S-0018 OSAC 2023-S-0018 Standard Test Method for the Restoration of Obliterated Serial Numbers and Other Markings Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0023 OSAC 2023-N-0023 Standard Guide to the Forensic Speaker Recognition Landscape Speaker Recognition The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0020 OSAC 2023-N-0020 Standard for the On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Friction Ridge Impressions Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-N-0004 OSAC 2024-N-0004 Standard Guide for Capturing Iris Images for Use with Iris Recognition Systems Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-S-0017 OSAC 2023-S-0017 Standard for the Articulation of Footwear and Tire Interpretations Footwear & Tire The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-S-0026 OSAC 2023-S-0026 Task-Relevant Information in Friction Ridge Examination Friction Ridge The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2024-N-0008 OSAC 2024-N-0008 Mass Fatality Incident Data Management: 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
OSAC 2023-N-0005 OSAC 2023-N-0005 Standard Practice for Training a Forensic Glass Practitioner Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0034 OSAC 2022-S-0034 Standard for the Expression of Source Opinions in Forensic Document Examination Forensic Document Examination The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0003 OSAC 2023-N-0003 Standard for Diagramming Scenes Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0011 OSAC 2022-S-0011 Standard for Construction of Multilocus Databases Wildlife Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0022 OSAC 2022-S-0022 Standard for Disaster Victim Identification Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-N-0039 OSAC 2022-N-0039 Standard for the Collection and Preservation of Entomological Evidence from a Terrestrial Environment Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0036 OSAC 2022-S-0036 Standard Method for the Chemical Testing of Suspected Projectile Impacts for Copper and Lead Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-N-0021 OSAC 2022-N-0021 Family Engagement Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Victim Information Center Best Practice Recommendations for Medicolegal Authority Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0008 OSAC 2022-S-0008 Standard Guide for Minimum Facial Image Comparison Documentation Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-N-0018 OSAC 2021-N-0018 Standard for On-Scene Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0027 OSAC 2023-N-0027 Standard Guide for Forensic Trace Evidence Recovery Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0002 OSAC 2023-N-0002 Standard for Scene Documentation Procedures Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0031 OSAC 2022-S-0031 Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Video Examination Workflow Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0011 OSAC 2023-N-0011 Standard Practice for a Physical Fit Analysis Training Program Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2023-N-0010 OSAC 2023-N-0010 Standard Practice for the Collection of Primer Gunshot Residue (pGSR) Particles from Clothing Vehicles and Other Inanimate Objects using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Stubs Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-S-0003 OSAC 2021-S-0003 Standards for Setting Analytical and Stochastic Thresholds for Application to Forensic DNA Casework Using Electrophoresis Platforms. Human Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-N-0010 OSAC 2021-N-0010 Standard for Skeletal Preparation and Sampling in Forensic Anthropology Forensic Anthropology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-S-0006 OSAC 2023-S-0006 Standard Guide for Photographing Scars Marks and Tattoos Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0022 OSAC 2023-N-0022 Best Practice Recommendation for Communicating with Next of Kin during Medicolegal Death Investigations Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0038 OSAC 2022-S-0038 Standard for Feature Selection in Friction Ridge Examination Friction Ridge The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0001 OSAC 2023-N-0001 Standard Practice for Training in the Areas of Video Analysis Image Analysis and Photography Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0030 OSAC 2022-S-0030 Standard for Methodology for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0023 OSAC 2022-S-0023 Standard Practice for the Forensic Analysis of Explosives by Polarized Light Microscopy Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0001 OSAC 2022-S-0001 Standard Guide for Image Comparison Opinions Facial and Iris Identification, Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-N-0025 OSAC 2021-N-0025 Standard Guide for Printing Method Effects on Facial Comparisons Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0019 OSAC 2022-S-0019 Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Fibers Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2022-S-0017 OSAC 2022-S-0017 Standard Guide for Microspectrophotometry in Forensic Fiber Analysis Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-S-0037 OSAC 2021-S-0037 Standard Guide for Forensic Photogrammetry Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, OSAC Registry
OSAC 2021-S-0011 OSAC 2021-S-0011 Standard for the Technical Review of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Reporting Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0004 OSAC 2023-N-0004 Standard for Interactions Between Medical Examiner Coroner and All Other Medicolegal Death Investigation Agencies and Organ and Tissue Procurement Organizations and Eye Banks Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science In SDO Development, OSAC Registry, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
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