ASB Newsletter – December 13, 2024
The 77th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
February 17-22, 2025 - Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland
The AAFS Annual Conference is the largest meeting of the forensic science community year after year, providing a professional environment for learning, collaboration, and networking. Join us in Baltimore, Maryland, as we pursue our mission of, " TECHNOLOGY: A Tool for Transformation or Tyranny?."
Sponsor the AAFS Standards Board (ASB) Reception | $2,000 (Multiple available)
Use the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) to help promote your brand and connect with the global forensic science community. Sponsoring a scientific event like the ASB Reception at the 77th Annual Conference spotlights your commitment to advancing the world of forensic science. (contact tambrosius@aafs.org for more information)
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:
- Recirculation* - ASB TR 012, Technical Report on the Articulation of the Reasoning and Foundational Principles Behind Friction Ridge Examinations (Comment Deadline, January 27, 2025)
- Recirculation – ASB Std 100, Standard Scale and Criteria for Source Conclusions in Toolmark Examinations (ASB Comment Deadline, January 16, 2025)
During adjudication of initial public comments, many changes were made to the original standard. Both substantive and significant reorganization changes were made to provide clarity. The reader should review the Updated Document in its entirety (i.e., consider this as a new document). Comments will be considered for all portions of the Updated Document when commenters follow the ASB process of comment submission. - ASB Standard 198 Standard for the Technical Review of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Reporting (Comment Deadline, January 20, 2025)
- ASB Std 207, Standard for Collection and Preservation of Document Evidence (Comment Deadline, December 16, 2024)
- Recirculation* - ASB TR 208, Forensic Toxicology: Terms and Definitions (Comment Deadline, January 27, 2025)
- ASB Std 216, Standard for Construction of Multilocus Databases (Comment Deadline, December 23, 2024)
* 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, comment template, and additional information can be accessed through the ASB website
Recently Published Standard from the ASB!
The AAFS Standards Board (ASB) has a newly published standard!
To date, the ASB has published over 100 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations (all approved as American National Standards by ANSI), including 4 Technical Reports. All ASB publications can be downloaded from the ASB website.
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!
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.