ASB Newsletter – August 14, 2026

ASB Documents Open for Public Comment

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

The following document is open for public comment:

• Recirculation* - ASB Best Practice Recommendation 174, Best Practice Recommendation for Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology (Comment Deadline, September 21, 2026)
• ASB Standard 181, Communication Following a Mass Fatality Incident: Standard for the Medicolegal Authority (Comment Deadline, September 7, 2026)
• ASB Standard 220, Standard for Scene Documentation (Comment Deadline, August 31, 2026)
• ASB Technical Report 235, Terminology for Shooting Reconstruction (Comment Deadline, September 21, 2026)

* 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 150 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations and Technical Reports. All ASB standards can be accessed through the ASB site.

Project Initiation Notification

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

• ASB Technical Report 033-202X, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (revision of ASB TR 033-2017).
  Comment response end date of 9/28/2026
• ASB Technical Report 248-202X, Observable Characteristics of Bloodstain Patterns for Classification (new standard)
  Comment response end date of 9/28/2026

Order Your Very Own ASB 10-year Anniversary Gear!

The ASB now has a Lands End Business Store! Choose your item and Apply Logo to add the special limited time 10-year Anniversary Logo! Visit the Storefront! 

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is a curated collection of publicly-accessible articles, reports, drug monographs, controlled substance notifications, historical documents, and other material relating to every discipline of the forensic sciences.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!