STRP Members & Reports

OSAC 2020-S-0002, Physical Stability of Facial Features of Adults. This document is meant to be used in conjunction with ASTM E3149 for Morphological Analysis. It describes the relative physical stability of facial features of adults when assessing the observed component characteristics within a single living subject as an aid to the facial comparison examiner. This document refers only to adult (post-pubescent) subjects and does not address the stability of features in children due to rapid developmental changes. It does not cover the entire comparison process. OSAC 2020-S-0002 STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established September 22, 2020):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Lora Sims, Facial Identification Subcommittee chair (former).

OSAC 2020-S-0003, Guidelines for Performing Alcohol Calculations in Forensic Toxicology. This document provides guidelines for performing alcohol (ethanol) calculations. Guidance on calculations for retrograde extrapolation, forward estimations, minimum drinks consumed, and other typical situations are addressed. Recommendations are provided for evaluation of post absorptive stage, various specimen types, and population variances. Reporting of calculations is also addressed. This guideline is intended for an expert performing alcohol calculations, whether as an employee of a public or private laboratory, or as an independent forensic service provider. It applies to matters related to criminal and/or civil proceedings. OSAC 2020-S-0003 STRP Report | Subcommittee response to STRP report

STRP Members (panel established September 11, 2020):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Jennifer Limoges, Forensic Toxicology Subcommittee affiliate.

OSAC 2020-S-0004, Standard for Interpreting, Comparing, and Reporting DNA Test Results Associated with Failed Controls and Contamination Events. This standard provides requirements for the interpretation, comparison, and reporting of DNA data associated with control failures or contamination where re-testing is not performed. DNA data associated with a failed control or a contamination event may still be scientifically valid and may be relevant to an investigation. These standards may be applied to any type of forensic DNA testing technology and methodology when conducted in an accredited forensic laboratory. OSAC 2020-S-0004 STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established October 2, 2020):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Charlotte Word, Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee affiliate.

OSAC 2021-S-0003, Standards for Setting Analytical and Stochastic Thresholds for Application to Forensic DNA Casework Using Electrophoresis Platforms. These standards shall be used by forensic laboratories which, as part of their casework data analysis processes, are manually making: a) binary determinations that a peak in an electropherogram is not the result of random fluctuations intrinsic to the analytical process; rather it is a peak that is representative of allele(s) or artifact(s); and b) binary determinations that allele drop-out did not occur. This standard is applicable to forensic STR DNA typing performed on electrophoresis platforms.

STRP Members (panel established December 15, 2020):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Christian Westring, Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0004, Standard Practices for Evaluating Measurement Uncertainty of Quantitative Measurements in Forensic Toxicology. This document provides minimum requirements for evaluating measurement uncertainty for quantitative measurements in forensic toxicology. The document is for both testing and calibration activities and provides direction on evaluation of components, bias, calculations, and reporting. While the document addresses calibration of breath alcohol measuring instruments, it does not address evaluating measurement uncertainty for breath alcohol testing. This topic will be covered in a different document. OSAC 2021-S-0004 STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established February 4, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Tate Teatman, Forensic Toxicology Subcommittee Vice Chair.

OSAC 2021-S-0006, Standard for the Use of GenBank for Taxonomic Assignment of Wildlife. This standard covers the requirements and recommendations for analysis and selection of DNA sequences retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s GenBank and their subsequent use as reference material for taxonomic identification of wildlife. This standard does not cover the use of DNA sequences from other public sequence databases (e.g., BOLD, UNITE), the protocol for downloading sequences from GenBank for inclusion in in-house databases, or the use of custom BLAST searches against GenBank. However, the criteria can be conceptually applied to other sequence databases. OSAC 2021-S-0006 STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established March 2, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Kelly Meiklejohn, Wildlife Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0011, Standards for the Technical Review of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Reporting. This document is intended to be applicable to all reports where bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) classifications or BPA case conclusions are rendered. OSAC 2021-S-0011 STRP Report | Response to STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established May 4, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: LeeAnn Singley, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0013, Standard Guide for Post Mortem Examination Photography. This standard provides procedures describing specific photography and lighting techniques for documenting post mortem examinations. These photographs serve as a permanent record of the examination, related evidence, and findings. This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience, and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. OSAC 2021-S-0013 STRP Report | Task Group Response to STRP Report

STRP Members (panel established April 26, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Keith Mancini, Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis (VITAL) Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0014, Standard for Reference Collections in Wildlife Forensic Biology: Genetics and Vertebrate Morphology. This standard provides requirements for acquiring, verifying the taxonomic identity of, and curating reference specimens to be used in wildlife forensic casework, research, training, validation studies, and proficiency testing related to taxonomic identification using genetics or vertebrate morphology. This standard also provides requirements for permanently removing reference specimens from a collection. This document does not address standards for capture and euthanasia of live animals to be used as reference specimens. This document also does not address the collection and storage of forensic evidence, nor the analytical process of using reference specimens in forensic casework. 

STRP Members (panel established May 26, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Barry Baker, Wildlife Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0021, Forensic Autosomal STR DNA Statistical Analyses - General Protocol, Protocol Verification, and Case Record Requirements. Forensic DNA testing requires that statistical calculations be performed on evidentiary DNA profiles that are established as relevant in the context of the case to aid in the assessment of an inclusion or positive association with a known individual. Calculations commonly used are the likelihood ratio (LR), random match probability (RMP), or combined probability of inclusion or exclusion (CPI/CPE). This standard provides general requirements for the laboratory protocol for performing statistical analyses, verification and consistency of use of the protocol, and documentation in the case record of all pertinent information regarding the statistical calculations. This standard applies directly to testing performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of autosomal loci having short tandem repeats (STR); many of the general requirements may also apply to other types of DNA testing and analysis.

STRP Members (panel established July 8, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Mike Coble, Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0027, Standard Guide for Laboratory Photography. This standard provides guidelines for the photographic documentation of evidence in the laboratory or another controlled environment. This document is not intended to address techniques using a scanner.

STRP Members (panel established October 4, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Aaron Matson, Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0028, Standard for Use of Serological Testing Methods Associated with Forensic Investigations. This standard provides requirements for documented analytical procedures/protocols needed for the use of forensic serological methods to evaluate body fluids, stains, or residues associated with forensic investigations. It includes requirements for laboratory facilities and evidence control; use and monitoring of the analytical procedures; and reagents, chemicals, and equipment used for forensic serological testing. Also, requirements for personnel and training, equipment maintenance/calibration, report writing, and reviews are covered in this standard.

STRP Members (panel established August 26, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Christie Smith, Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0029, Standard for Familial DNA Searching. This standard requires laboratories that perform familial DNA searches to have a written policy with criteria for:

• accepting a familial DNA search request, administrative structure, and responsibilities; 
• the search process, data verification, and validation; 
• reporting results; and
• safeguarding individual privacy and confidentiality of the results.

STRP Members (panel established August 13, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Ann Marie Gross, Human Forensic Biology Subcommittee affiliate.

OSAC 2021-S-0036, Standard Guide for Image Authentication. This standard provides information on the evidentiary value, methodology, and limitations when conducting an image authentication examination as a part of forensic analysis. The intended audience is examiners in a laboratory setting. The scope of the document includes image content authentication and image source authentication but does not include the interpretation of image content. 

STRP Members (panel established October 14, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Wendy A. Dinova-Wimmer, Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2021-S-0037, Standard Guide for Forensic Photogrammetry. This standard provides basic information on conducting photogrammetric examinations as a part of forensic analysis. The intended audience is examiners in a laboratory and/or field setting.

STRP Members (panel established October 26, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Wendy A. Dinova-Wimmer, Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0001, Standard Guide for Image Comparison Conclusions/Opinions. This standard defines conclusions (hereafter “opinions”) categories that shall be reached by a practitioner performing comparisons of people, objects, or scenes captured in images (e.g., face, vehicle, clothing, skin detail, etc.), regardless of the process by which opinions are reached (i.e., the examination methodology). It does not address opinions stated in terms of quantitative probability models, to include numerical assessments of the strength or weight of evidence, or the documentation or reporting of opinion (FISWG Minimum Guidelines for Facial Image Comparison Documentation, SWGDE Technical Overview for Forensic Image Comparison). This standard does not supersede published opinion scale standards for other disciplines.

STRP Members (panel established December 3, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Lora Sims, Facial Identification Subcommittee chair (former).

OSAC 2022-S-0002, Standard Practice for the Analysis of Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Gas Chromatography– Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). This practice covers the analysis of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) by electron ionization-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-(EI)MS). This practice does not address the analysis of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) or primer gunshot residue (pGSR).

STRP Members (panel established November 8, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Candice Bridge, Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0003, Standard Practice for the Analysis of Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR) by Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). This practice covers the analysis of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This practice does not address the analysis of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) or primer gunshot residue (pGSR). 

STRP Members (panel established November 8, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Candice Bridge, Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0004, Standard Classification for Ignitable Liquids Encountered in Fire Debris Analysis. This standard covers the classification of ignitable liquids encountered in forensic fire debris analysis and includes classification of petroleum and non-petroleum based ignitable liquids. This standard is intended for use in conjunction with approved extraction practices and instrumental test methods used to isolate and classify ignitable liquids (ASTM E1386, E1388, E1412, E1413, E2154, E2881, E3189, EXXX Interpretation).

STRP Members (panel established November 2, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Laura Hernandez, Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0005, Standard Test Method for Interpretation of Gas Chromatography-Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry Data for the Identification of Ignitable Liquid Classes in Fire Debris Analysis. This test method covers the interpretation of data obtained from ignitable liquids encountered in forensic fire debris analysis and includes requirements for the identification of a class of petroleum and non-petroleum based ignitable liquids. This test method is suitable for data obtained from liquid samples and extracts obtained from solid fire debris samples, including those that may contain strong contributions from substrate materials or pyrolysis and combustion products. This standard is intended for use in conjunction with ASTM E1618.

STRP Members (panel established November 2, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Laura Hernandez, Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0006, Standard Practice for Gas Chromatography Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Ignitable Liquids. This practice covers the instrumental analysis of ignitable liquids, as well as extracts from fire debris samples, by gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC MS). It describes performance criteria for use during initial GC-MS method development and optimization, data evaluation and acceptance criteria, quality assurance and quality control considerations, and limitations.  

STRP Members (panel established November 2, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Kim Kunkler, Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & Gunshot Residue Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0007, Standard Guide for Facial Comparison Overview and Methodology Guidelines. The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines and recommendations for conducting comparisons of faces unfamiliar to the practitioner. This document reviews general types of facial comparisons, methods, human ability, and applications of facial comparison and provides recommendations for general practices and methodologies to conduct facial comparisons. 

• STRP being established

OSAC 2022-S-0011, Standards for Construction of Multilocus Databases. This document provides minimum standards to guide the construction of multilocus population genetic databases. This document covers criteria for the identification and collection of samples, inclusion of associated biological data, choice and evaluation of genetic markers, and standard statistical evaluation of the reference database. This document does not cover specific applications such as individual matching, familial matching, geographic assignment, or other wildlife forensic techniques to evidence in wildlife forensic casework. This document only applies to databases generated from reference samples and does not include evidence items.

STRP Members (panel established November 19, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Hope Draheim, Wildlife Forensic Biology Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0012, Standard for Proficiency Testing in Friction Ridge Examination. This document prescribes the minimum requirements for the selection, development, validation, administration, evaluation, and documentation of proficiency tests used by forensic service providers (FSPs) for purposes of assessing the performance of the FSP personnel and overall FSP quality system related to friction ridge examination. These requirements are applicable to tests generated internally by FSPs and tests obtained from external sources. This document does not address requirements related to: 1.) the specific method(s) for conducting friction ridge examinations and 2.) validation of novel or existing methods prior to implementation.

STRP Members (panel established October 27, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Henry Swofford, Friction Ridge Subcommittee chair.

OSAC 2022-S-0013, Standard Guide for Testimony by Forensic Science Practitioners Offering Expert Testimony in Seized Drugs Analysis. This standard covers testimony in criminal, civil or regulatory proceedings by forensic science practitioners (FSPs) regarding the analysis of seized drugs. It includes general recommendations regarding testimony in the seized drugs discipline as well as parameters for testimony training, the evaluation of testimony, and testimony monitoring programs. 

• STRP being established

OSAC 2022-S-0015, Standard Guide for Forensic Physical Fit Examination. This guide covers the forensic physical fit examinations for the macroscopical and microscopical examinations of broken, torn, or separated materials for the purpose of determining whether or not they at one time formed a single item. This guide is intended as an overview of the physical fit examination of these materials and to assist individuals in the evaluation and documentation of their physical comparisons.

STRP Members (panel established December 8, 2021):

OSAC subcommittee liaison to the panel: Tatiana Trejos, Trace Materials Subcommittee member.

OSAC 2022-S-0024, Best Practice Recommendations for Evaluative Forensic DNA Testimony. This document describes best practices for the communication of biological results and opinions in the field of Forensic Biology. It addresses testimony given sub-sub-source, sub-source, source, and activity level propositions. This document will not consider the highest level of the Hierarchy of Propositions (crime level). This document does not give guidance on how to obtain findings (DNA results/statistics) or form opinions (how or when to have an opinion that evidence supports a proposition or that the findings are neutral for a given pair of propositions). Rather, the purpose is to focus on best practices for the communication of findings and opinions in the role of an expert witness.

• STRP being established