ASB Newsletter – January 31, 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

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)

→ Register Now For AAFS 2025

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 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)
• ASB BPR 209, Best Practice Recommendation for Communicating with Next of Kin during Medicolegal Death Investigations (Comment Deadline, February 10, 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  

Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) from ANSI Standards Action

The following proposed new document has recently been approved by the ASB for work:

• ASB Std 217-202x, Standard for the Ethical Treatment of Human Remains and Associated Data for Curation, Education, Research, and Training in Forensic Anthropology (new standard)

Recently Published Standard from the ASB!

The AAFS Standards Board (ASB) has recently published standards! 

• ANSI/ASB Standard 017, Standard for Metrological Traceability in Forensic Toxicology, Second Edition, 2025
• ANSI/ASB Standard 056, Standard for Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition, 2025

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.

NSC-ADID Recommends Forensic Toxicology Service Providers Adopt Consensus-Based Standards

The Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division (ADID) of the National Safety Council (NSC) consists of 100 toxicology professionals who assist with developing tools, such as position statements, and assists the NSC with policy to reduce death and injury from alcohol, drugs, and impairment. Recently, the NSC-ADID released a public statement recommending forensic toxicology service providers to adopt consensus-based standards, to include standards on the OSAC Registry. Read the Letter to the Editor to learn more!

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!