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Reference Materials and Standards
NIST offers tools that help forensic crime laboratories validate their analytical methods and ensure accuracy in their test results. Some of the most popular Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are listed below. For ordering information, see our SRM ordering policies.
The National Institute of Justice Standards and Testing Program develops and publishes equipment standards that specifically address the needs of law enforcement, corrections and other criminal justice agencies.
ASTM International develops standards for forensic science investigations. These apply to procedures for investigations of documents, gunshot residue, polygraph examinations, ignitable liquid residue extraction and others. See the ASTM Forensic Science Standards website. Please note that fees apply to ASTM standards.
The National Fire Protection Association develops codes and standards to prevent and manage the impact of fire disasters, including standards for arson investigators. See the NFPA list of codes and standards.
NIST Standard Reference Materials
Blood Alcohol
| 1828b | Ethanol-Water Solutions |
| 2891 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.02% |
| 2892 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.04% |
| 2893 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.08% |
| 2894 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.1% |
| 2895 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.2% |
| 2896 | Ethanol-Water Solution 0.3% |
| 2897a | Ethanol-Water Solution 2% |
| 2898a | Ethanol-Water Solution 6% |
| 2899a | Ethanol-Water Solution 25% |
| 2900 | Ethanol-Water Solution 95.6% |
Crime Scene Investigation
| 2285 | Arson Test Mixture in Methylene Chloride |
| 2460 | Standard Bullet |
| 2461 | Standard Cartridge Case |
| 2905 | Trace Particulate Explosive Stimulants |
| 2906 | Trace Explosives Calibrations Solutions |
| 2907 | Trace Terrorist Explosive Stimulants |
| 8107 | Additives in Smokeless Powder |
| 2372 | Human DNA Quantitation Standard |
| 2391c | PCR Based DNA Profiling Standard |
| 2392 | Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing |
| 2392-I | Mitochrondrial DNA Sequencing |
Drugs of Abuse
| 1507b | THC-COOH in Freeze-Dried Urine |
| 1508a | Benzoylecgonine (Cocaine Metabolite) in Freeze-Dried Urine |
| 1511 | Multi Drugs of Abuse in Urine |
| 1959 | Drugs of Abuse in Frozen Human Serum |
| 2379 | Drugs of Abuse in Human Hair I |
| 2380 | Drugs of Abuse in Human Hair II |
| 2381 | Morphine and Codeine in Urine |
| 2382 | Morphine Glucuronide in Urine |
| 8444 | Cotinine in Freeze-Dried Human Urine |
Miscellaneous