ASB Newsletter – February 14, 2025

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?."

Standards Sessions at AAFS 2025

Special Session 1

Standards Around the World: How Is the World of Standards Influencing the Future of Forensics?
Monday, February 17, 2025 | 8:30 am – 5:00 pm | CE Hours: 7.5 | Free to Conference Attendees!
The presentation will impact the forensic science community by creating greater awareness of how standards are currently being drafted, used, and implemented internationally and the impact of standards in forensic sciences. Additional Details Can Be Found Here!

Deep-Dive Session 1

Leveraging Forensic Science Standards Development to Boost Your Professional Growth
Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | CE Hour: 1.0

Workshops

W10 - Alcohol Calculations and Expert Testimony: How ANSI/ASB BPR 122 and 037 Can Be Applied in Forensic Toxicology Cases
Monday, February 17, 2025 | 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | CE Hours: 3.0

W24 - ANSI/ASB Standard 175-Standard for Interpreting, Comparing, and Reporting DNA Test Results Associated With Failed Controls and Contamination Events: Understanding, Implementation, and Legal Issues
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | CE Hours: 3.5

Scientific Sessions

Anthropology

• The Progress in Standards Development in Forensic Anthropology: Updates From the OSAC and ASB 

Criminalistics

• Standards Development Activities in Human Forensic Biology
• Assessing the Accuracy and Reliability of Canine Explosives Detection Using OSAC Training and Certification
• OSAC/ASB Standards Development Activities in Firearm and Toolmark Examination
• A Study of Standards Implementation Across the Forensic Sciences: Notes, Trends, and Future Directions
• Standards Development Activities Related to Friction Ridge Examination
• Standards Development Activities in Trace Materials
• Standards Development Activities Related to Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, and Gunshot Residue
• Standard Development Activities in Seized Drug Analysis: The Current Status and Challenges

Digital & Multimedia Sciences

• Standards Development Activities in Digital and Multimedia Forensic Science

General 

• An Update on Forensic Science Standards Within the Crime Scene Investigation Disciplines
• Progress on Developing Dogs and Sensors Standards: Sniffing Out Success
• Standards Development Activities in Medicolegal Death Investigation, Including Disaster Victim Identification
• Standards Development Activities in Wildlife Forensic Biology

Jurisprudence

• Strategic Opportunities to Advance Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward Through Research and Standards
• Standards Use in Legal Proceedings and Primers for Officers of the Court

Odontology

• Recent Advances in Forensic Odontology Standards

Pathology/Biology

• Standards Development Activities in Medicolegal Death Investigation and Forensic Pathology

Questioned Documents

• An Update on Standards Development Activities Related to Forensic Document Examination

Toxicology

• An Update on Standards Development Activities in Forensic Toxicology

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 BPR 021, Best Practice Recommendation for the Preparation of Test Impressions from Footwear and Tires, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, March 24, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB TR 071, Forensic Document Examination Terms and Definitions (Comment Deadline, February 24, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ­ASB Std 124, Minimum Requirements and Recommendations for a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Training Program (Comment Deadline, March 10, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 173, Standard for Education, Training, Continuing Education, and Certification of Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Personnel (Comment Deadline, March 10, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB BPR 193, Best Practice Recommendations for Determining What Scene and Death Locations a Medicolegal Death Investigation Authority Responds to for an Investigation (Comment Deadline, February 17, 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, comment template, and additional information can be accessed through the ASB website  

Published Standard from the ASB!

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!