ASB Newsletter – April 4, 2025

Registration open for a Toxicology and Jurisprudence Webinar!
ANSI/ASB BPR 122, Best Practice Recommendations for Performing Alcohol Calculations in Forensic Toxicology

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Performing calculations related to ethanol is a common practice for forensic toxicologists, however, there can be significant variability in how this work is conducted. This variability exists from state to state and between labs within a state, but can even extend to analysts within a single laboratory. ANSI/ASB BPR 122 was developed to improve the quality and consistency of this service. This session will review the pharmacokinetic principles of alcohol as they relate to performing calculations in forensic toxicology casework. The recommendations contained within ANSI/ASB BPR 122 will be discussed and examples will be provided of how to apply those to real-world case scenarios. Register Now! 

ASB Documents Open for Public Comment

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

The following documents are open for public comment:

• ASB Std 030, Standard for a Quality Assurance Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, May 19, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB TR 194, Terminology for a Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin (Comment Deadline, April 21, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 198, Standard for the Technical Review of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Reporting (Comment Deadline, May 19, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 207, Standard for Collection and Preservation of Document Evidence (ASB Comment Deadline, April 17, 2025)
• Recirculation* -  ASB TR 208, Forensic Toxicology: Terms and Definitions (Comment Deadline, April 28, 2025)

* Please note that comments on a recirculation 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 and additional information on the ASB can be accessed through the ASB website  

Published Standards from the ASB!

To date, the ASB has published over 120 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations and Technical Reports. All ASB standards can be accessed through the ASB site. 

ASB Standards Included FIU Research Forensic Library

This library is a curated collection of publicly-accessible articles, reports, drug monographs, controlled substance notifications, historical documents, and other material relating to every discipline of the forensic sciences. The Library provides access to groundbreaking research and to historical articles, all available for free. There are currently over 7,600 articles and reports in the library, with more added every day. Visit the Library here! 

Checklists Available on Forensic Standards
These Checklists provide a tool to allow a forensic science service provider to evaluate the level of standard implementation and/or audit conformance to a standard.  Each checklist, provided in Excel, uses a standardized format that also allows flexibility when used. Checklists are in continuous production with more coming soon! Visit the AAFS Standards Resources and Training site to access the Checklists!

AAFS Factsheets on ASB, ASTM, and NFPA Standards Available
The AAFS Standards Factsheets provide a concise summary of each standard and facilitate broader understanding, they also highlight the purpose of a standard, why it is needed, and the benefits of adoption. Factsheets are in continuous production and more are coming soon. Visit the AAFS Standards Resources and Training site for more details!

Standards Webinars on AAFS Connect
AAFS Connect is the hub of digital forensic science content provided by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. AAFS Connect hosts conference workshops, presentations, webinars, educational training, and other resources. Webinars and updates on Forensic Standards are now available in the Standards Videos portion of AAFS Connect, free of charge. Visit the AAFS Educational Webinars page for more details!