Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science has placed two new standards covering the interpretation of DNA evidence on its registry of approved standards. This stamp of approval from OSAC, which is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), indicates that these […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers used black light and glow powder to show how microscopic particles—in this case, from drug powders—can be spread around a forensic chemistry lab when handling evidence. This spread cannot be completely eliminated, but it’s important for labs to manage the […]
Source: Teresa Ambrosius, ASB Secretariat The AAFS Standards Board (ASB) is pleased to announce the publication of ANSI/ASB Standard 088, General Guidelines for Training, Certification, and Documentation of Canine Detection Disciplines, First Edition, 2020. This standard is produced through ASB’s Dogs and Sensors Consensus Body in a consensus process accredited by the American National Standards […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST At the request of the National Archives, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) forensic ballistics lab have used advanced imaging methods to create high-resolution 3D models of the bullets used in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This historic preservation project will allow […]
Source: Jeri D. Ropero-Miller, PhD, AAFS President-Elect On October 28 and 29, an AAFS delegation composed of Jeri Ropero-Miller (President-Elect), Ken Melson (AAFS CFSO representative), Lucy Davis (ASB Chair, OSAC FSSB member), and Teresa Ambrosius (ASB Secretariat) attended a Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO) all-hands meeting outside of Washington, DC. Other meeting attendees included CFSO […]
Source: Teresa Ambrosius, ASB Secretariat The AAFS Standards Board (ASB) is pleased to announce the publication of ANSI/ASB Standard 036, Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2019. This standard is produced through ASB’s Toxicology Consensus Body in a consensus process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The standard is based […]
Source: Sabra R. Botch-Jones, MS, Section Program Chair The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Toxicology Subcommittee and the AAFS Standards Board (ASB) Toxicology Consensus Body encourage all interested parties to provide comments on three toxicology standards which are available for public comment. These documents are listed along with links to each document. Please note […]
Source: Lucy A. Davis, BHS, AAFS Representative, OSAC Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB) In the Fall of 2017, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent out a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register on The Development of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science 2.0. Both the American […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST For police and forensic chemists, opening a bag of suspicious powder that might contain fentanyl can be dangerous because of the risk of accidental inhalation. More of the powder becomes airborne than one might think. Scientists at The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated the […]
Source: Teresa Ambrosius, ASB Secretariat The ASB is pleased to announce that the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB) has approved the addition of ANSI/ASB Standard 017, Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2018 for listing on the OSAC Registry. The OSAC Registry […]
Source: Sabra R. Botch-Jones, MS, Section Program Chair The Organization of Scientific Area Communities for Forensic Sciences (OSAC) Toxicology Subcommittee recently released a draft document titled “Standard for Identification Criteria in Forensic Toxicology.” Click here to access the document. This document has been accepted by the Academy Standards Board (ASB) for development as an American […]
Source: Mary C. McKiel, PhD, ASB Communications Liaison The Organization of Scientific Area Communities (OSAC), housed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), recently invited OSAC professional association representatives to share information on OSAC events with their members. The invitation highlighted the opportunity to comment on inclusion of two forensic related standards, published […]
Source: Kenneth E. Melson, JD, AAFS CFSO Liaison The CFSO is extremely excited to bring this message to you today. The $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package, which will fund the government for FY18, was signed into law by President Trump on March 23. The House voted 256-167 in favor and the Senate voted 65-32. This […]
Source: Paul D. Emanovsky, PhD, Section Secretary Many thanks to all of the presenters and attendees who made the Seattle program successful this year. Please join me in congratulating our colleagues who received awards during the AAFS 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. The T. Dale Stewart Award: P. Willey was awarded the 2017 T. Dale Stewart […]
Source: Lucy A. Davis, BHS, Chair, ASB Board of Directors Over the past year, I have had the honor of representing the AAFS on the OSAC Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB). My position on this Board is to represent the AAFS membership concerning the OSAC process and selection of standards to be placed on the […]
Source: Mary C. McKiel, PhD, ASB Communications Liaison Officer On August 30 of this year, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a Request For Information (RFI) on potential organizational changes to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC). NIST, along with the Department of Justice, established OSAC to facilitate development of sound […]
Source: Betty Layne DesPortes, JD, MS, 2017-18 President In 2016, roughly 64,000 people in the United States died from drug overdoses, more than triple the number from 2000. Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and its novel analogs have played a major part in this public health crisis. To address this epidemic, law enforcement and public […]
Source: Noelle J. Umback, PhD, Section Program Co-Chair The theme of the 2018 AAFS meeting is Science Matters. The general public often believes that when something scientific is reported, it has become fact. However, we know that change is at the heart of the Scientific Method. Experimentation may answer some questions about a particular biological […]
Source: Steven C. Clark, PhD, Section Secretary Another summer is history, and fall is here. Now is the time to make your plans to attend the 2018 AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle, WA. Hotels around the Washington State Convention Center fill up quickly because Seattle is such a great meeting site! There are […]
Source: Betty Layne DesPortes, JD, MS, 2017-18 President Scientific evidence is a powerful tool in the search for the truth and the pursuit of justice. As forensic scientists, we have a duty to ensure our results and opinions are valid and reliable. Standards and best practice guidelines provide the foundation for our work and […]