Introduction
The aim of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) is to identify and promote technically sound, consensus-based, fit-for-purpose documentary standards that are based on sound scientific principles. This will be achieved through the OSAC Registry. A standard or guideline that is posted on the Registry demonstrates that the methods it contains have been assessed to be valid by forensic practitioners, academic researchers, measurement scientists, and statisticians through a consensus development process that allows participation and comment from all relevant stakeholders.
The OSAC has implemented the OSAC Registry Approval Process, which includes criteria against which existing standards and guidelines will be analyzed before being approved for posting on the OSAC Registry. This includes an analysis of technical merit, openness of the development process (to ensure balanced interests are represented), consensus, harmonization, and impact on the forensic science community. Multiple levels of the OSAC evaluate the standards and guidelines against these criteria. If criteria are met, OSAC proceeds to issue a public notice of intent that includes an open comment period to solicit feedback from all stakeholders. OSAC reviews and adjudicates all public comments received and then considers the feedback when voting whether or not the standard/guideline should be included on the Registry.
Many standards and guidelines exist that are not recommended and/or approved for the OSAC Registry, but that does not necessarily mean that OSAC is invalidating their use. The absence of a standard or guideline on the Registry simply means that it has either not been recommended yet, or it might have only met some of the OSAC criteria.
Status of Standards and Guidelines Recommended for Inclusion on the OSAC Registry