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Forensic Science Standards Library

OSAC's Forensic Science Standards Library is an interactive database of the current forensic science standards landscape. The term "standard" applies collectively to a document and can be a best practice recommendation, classification, code, guide, method/test method, practice, specification, or vocabulary/terminology. The elements required in a "standard" will differ by the type of document and by the standards developing organization (SDO).

Visit the OSAC Registry to see the SDO published and OSAC Proposed Standards that have been approved by OSAC and are endorsed for implementation.

Search for the following types of standards in the OSAC Forensic Science Standards Library:

  • OSAC Registry: The OSAC Registry is a repository of selected SDO published and OSAC Proposed Standards that have been approved and are endorsed by OSAC for implementation.
  • OSAC Registry Archive: The OSAC Registry Archive is a collection of standards that were on the OSAC Registry and have been replaced by revised standards.
  • SDO Published: This is a standard that has been developed through the consensus process and has been published by a standards developing organization (SDO). An SDO published standard is available to the forensic science community and may be considered for the OSAC Registry.
  • In SDO Development: This is a standard that is currently under development at an SDO. The standard may have been initially drafted within OSAC and sent to the SDO for further development, or it may have been started directly at the SDO.
  • OSAC Proposed: This is a standard that was initiated and drafted by OSAC and will eventually be sent to an SDO for further development and publication. An OSAC Proposed Standard may or may not be included on the OSAC Registry.
  • Under Development: This is a working draft inside of OSAC and not yet publicly available.

Forensic Science Standards Library

235
OSAC Registry
25
OSAC Registry Archive
251
SDO-Published Standards
269
In SDO Development
Searches the number, title, subcommittee and owner for all keywords
Displaying 401 - 450 of 631
More info Designation Number Title OSAC Subcommittee(s) Document Owner Status Date added to the Registry Sort ascending
OSAC ND-37 Standard for Isotope Analysis Forensic Anthropology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-36 Standard for Internal Validation of NGS/MPS Platforms Human Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-35 Standard for head to toe evaluation of a decedent Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-33 Standard for Developing and Validating STR Multiplex Panels Wildlife Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-32 Standard for Canine Trainer Training Program Curriculum Dogs & Sensors The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-31 Standard for Canine Handler Training Program Curriculum Dogs & Sensors The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-30 Standard for Calibration and Performance Testing of Terrestrial Laser Scanners Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-25 Method for Determining Area of Origin Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-24 Medicolegal Death Investigations Reporting Standard Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-23 Measuring performance/proficiency testing of fire investigators Fire & Explosion Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-22 Guideline for Documenting Bloodstains on Textiles Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-21 Guideline for Documenting Bloodstains at Crime Scenes and on Items of Evidence Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-20 Guide for Facial Comparison Training of Reviewers to Competency Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-19 Guide for Facial Comparison Training of Examiners to Competency Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-17 Guide for Canine Detection Selection Criteria for Professional Progression Dogs & Sensors The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-16 Genetic Methods to Determine an Individual of Potential Hybrid Origin Wildlife Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-15 Foundational Standard for Forensic Nursing Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-14 Fire Investigation Report Writing Fire & Explosion Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-13 Expression of Source Conclusions Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC 2025-S-0016 OSAC 2025-S-0016 Standard for the Identification and Quantitation of Volatile Compounds in Biological Fluids Forensic Toxicology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, Under Development
OSAC ND-09 Educational Program Standard Digital Evidence The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-08 Chromatography document Seized Drugs The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-07 Breath Alcohol Subject Testing Standard Practice Forensic Toxicology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-06 BPR for Task Relevant Information and Human Factors Guidance Footwear & Tire The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-05 Best Practice Recommendation for Internal Validation of NGS/MPS Platforms Human Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-03 Best Practice Recommendation for In-Custody Deaths Medicolegal Death Investigation The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-02 Best Practice Recommendation for a Kit tracking system Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC ND-01 AFIS Best Practices Friction Ridge The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development
OSAC 2025-S-0006 OSAC 2025-S-0006 Footwear and Tire Intelligence Footwear & Tire The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2025-S-0005 OSAC 2025-S-0005 Standard Test Method for Distance Determination (Gunshot Residue Distance and Shot Pellet Pattern Distance) Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2025-N-0007 OSAC 2025-N-0007 Standard for the Medical Forensic Examination: Sexual Violence of Adolescents and Adults Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2025-N-0004 OSAC 2025-N-0004 Standard Criteria for Crime Scene Reconstruction Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0023 OSAC 2024-S-0023 Standard for the Systematic Verification of Alternative Training Aids for Detection Canine Disciplines Dogs & Sensors The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0022 OSAC 2024-S-0022 Method for Determining Directionality Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0021 OSAC 2024-S-0021 Method for Estimating the Angle of Impact of Spatter Stains Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0020 OSAC 2024-S-0020 Method for Measuring a Spatter Stain Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0017 OSAC 2024-S-0017 Standard Guide for Forensic Physical Fit Examination of Documentary Evidence Forensic Document Examination The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0016 OSAC 2024-S-0016 Standard for Case File Management and Reporting in Forensic Anthropology Forensic Anthropology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0015 OSAC 2024-S-0015 Standard Guide for Evaluating Physical and Optical Characteristics in Forensic Tape Examination and Comparison Trace Materials The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0014 OSAC 2024-S-0014 Best Practice Recommendation for Muzzle-to Witness-Panel Distance Measurement and Estimation of Uncertainty Firearms & Toolmarks The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0013 OSAC 2024-S-0013 Proposed Standard for Photographing of Dental Evidence Forensic Odontology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-S-0006 OSAC 2024-S-0006 Forensic Documentation for the Reporting by Oral Health Care Professionals of Suspected Human Abuse Forensic Odontology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2025-S-0014 OSAC 2025-S-0014 Guidelines for a Quality Assurance Program in Forensic Anthropology. Forensic Anthropology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science OSAC Proposed Draft Standard, Under Development
OSAC 2024-N-0011 OSAC 2024-N-0011 Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image Management Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-N-0009 OSAC 2024-N-0009 Guide for Mentorship of Facial Comparison Trainees in Role Based Facial Comparison Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2024-N-0007 OSAC 2024-N-0007 Managing Head Coverings, Accessories, and Make-up (HCAM) for Booking Photographs Facial and Iris Identification The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0015 OSAC 2023-N-0015 Standard for the Education of Forensic Nurses who Conduct Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations for Adult and Adolescent Patients Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2023-N-0013 OSAC 2023-N-0013 Standard for Evidence Collection and Management for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Forensic Nursing The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0041 OSAC 2022-S-0041 Best Practice Recommendations for Internal Validation of DNA Extraction Methods Human Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
OSAC 2022-S-0040 OSAC 2022-S-0040 Standard for Internal Validation of DNA Extraction Methods Human Forensic Biology The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science Under Development, OSAC Proposed Draft Standard
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