Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in the Academy News are those of the identified authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Academy.

Source: Teresa Ambrosius, ASB Secretariat

Three New Documents from the ASB!

The AAFS Standards Board (ASB) is pleased to announce the publication of three new documents:

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 050, Best Practice Recommendation for Photographic Documentation of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence, First Edition, 2021
  This document provides the best practice recommendations for personnel responsible for photographic documentation footwear and tire impressions for future examinations. Deviations from this document may/may not preclude examination of captured images. The procedures included in this document may not cover all aspects of footwear and tire photography. This document is not intended as a substitute for training in the documentation and photography of footwear and tire track evidence.
• ANSI/ASB Standard 119, Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicological Testing of Blood in Medicolegal Death Investigations, First Edition, 2021
  This document delineates the minimum requirements for target analytes and analytical sensitivity for the forensic toxicological testing of blood specimens collected in medicolegal death investigations. This document does not cover the analysis of urine, tissues, or other specimens that are commonly analyzed in medicolegal death investigations.
• ANSI/ASB Standard 131, Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Sequencing using Capillary Electrophoresis, First Edition, 2021
  This standard provides the general requirements for a forensic DNA laboratory’s training program in forensic DNA sequencing using capillary electrophoresis. This standard applies to forensic human and wildlife mitochondrial DNA capillary electrophoresis sequencing, and wildlife nuclear DNA capillary electrophoresis sequencing.

To date, the ASB has published 51 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations (all approved as American National Standards by ANSI), and 3 Technical Reports. All ASB publications can be downloaded from the Published Documents portion of the ASB website.

Training on Manual and Style Guide for ASB Standards, Guidelines, Best Practice Recommendations, and Technical Reports and the ASB Supplemental Style Guide

The ASB has published an updated Manual and Style Guide for ASB Standards, Guidelines, Best Practice Recommendations, and Technical Reports and we now have an ASB Supplemental Style Guide as a companion document to the Manual. There are some significant changes to this updated version; including more detailed descriptions of the ASB document types, Standards and Best Practice Recommendations, and the addition of an ASB Guideline document type. There are additional details on Normative References, Terminology, and Scope writing. The Manual and Supplement are posted on the ASB Website

The training module is being offered for a second time on August 26, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Click here to view the event on workspace and download to your calendar.

The recording will be posted on the ASB website for future viewing.

ASB Documents Open for Public Comment

The ASB encourages all interested parties to provide comments on documents in progress.

The public comment period has opened for:

• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 136, Forensic Laboratory Standard for Prevention, Monitoring, and Mitigation of Human DNA Contamination, First Edition

The following documents are also available for public comment:

• ASB Standard 039, Standard for Internal Validation of Human Short Tandem Repeat Profiling on Capillary Electrophoresis Platforms, First Edition (Comment Deadline, August 30, 2021)
• Recirculation* – ASB Standard 096, Standard Method for the Examination and Documentation of Ammunition and Ammunition Components, First Edition (Comment Deadline September 20, 2021)
• ASB Best Practice Recommendation 129, Best Practice Recommendations for Internal Validation of Human Short Tandem Repeat Profiling on Capillary Electrophoresis Platforms, First Edition (Comment Resolution, August 30, 2021)
• ASB Standard 154, Standard for Training on Testimony for Forensic Biology, First Edition (Comment Deadline, August 30, 2021)

*Please note that comments on a re-circulation will only be accepted on revised sections of a document, comments made to text not revised from the previous public comment period will not be accepted.

The documents, comment template, and additional information can be accessed through the Notification of Standard Development and Coordination portion of the ASB website.

AAFS Online Abstract Submission System is Now Open

Submit your abstract for presentation at the 74th AAFS Annual Scientific Conference to be held February 21-25, 2022, in Seattle, WA. The theme for the upcoming meeting is A Responsive Academy-Meeting and Surpassing the Challenges of a Modern Forensic Science World. The deadline for abstract submission is September 1. Presenting authors of abstracts who are selected for presentation by the Program Committee will be notified by November 30. Submission guidelines may be found here.

Conduct an Educational & Scientific Webinar With AAFS

Presenting educational webinars is a valuable tool for offering engaging and valuable content on a specific topic.

Forensic science is an ever-changing and developing scientific field that requires rigorous efforts in continuing education. We offer all qualified individuals the opportunity to conduct an educational scientific webinar to the public that we create, host, and market. Visit the AAFS website to learn about the three different options for conducting your webinar.

Shop Amazon Smile to Support AAFS and ASB

You can now shop on behalf of the AAFS through Amazon Smile in effort to support your favorite non-profit! Read more about it and find our specific shopping link.

Contributions to the ASB

Your contribution will help ensure the ASB’s success in establishing standards and best practices for the forensic science community. Your contribution may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense for federal income tax purposes. Make a donation.

ASB Updates From ANSI Standards Action

To view a summary of items of interest to ASB members in ANSI Standards Action, visit the ANSI Standards Action Weekly Report folder on the ASB Workspace page. Please contact asb@aafs.org if you have difficulties logging on to the Workspace site.