ASB Newsletter – February 23, 2026

Recently Published Documents from the ASB

• ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 213, Victim Information Center - Best Practice Recommendation for Medicolegal Death Investigation Authorities, First Edition, 2026
  This document provides guidance on establishing a Victim Information Center (VIC) to conduct scientific medicolegal functions. These guidelines also provide medicolegal death investigation (MDI) authorities a framework to collect forensic reference samples and antemortem (AM) data required to identify victims of an incident. This document defines the purpose and objectives of a VIC, when it should be established, how it is managed, and the role of the medicolegal authority.
• ASB Technical Report 194, Terminology for a Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin, First Edition, 2026
  This technical report provides terms and definitions for describing a suspected pattern impression of dental origin.
  This document does not provide criteria for using these terms, nor suggest that they have a scientific basis for reliable application; their inclusion is only to ensure clarity and prevent ambiguity in other technical reports and standards.

To date, the ASB has published over 130 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations and Technical Reports. All ASB standards can be accessed through the ASB site.

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 Standard 222, Standard for the Articulation of Footwear and Tire Interpretations (ASB Comment Deadline, April 9, 2026)

The documents and additional information on the ASB can be accessed through the ASB website  

Project Initiation Notification

The following proposed new documents have recently been approved by the ASB for work:

• ASB Std 241-202x, Standard for Topics in a Forensic Odontology Education and Training Curriculum (new standard)
  PINS response end date of 3/22/2026
• ASB Std 242-202x, Standard for Case File Management and Reporting in Forensic Anthropology (new standard)
  PINS response end date of 3/1/2026
• ASB G 243-202x, Guideline for a Quality Assurance Program in Forensic Anthropology (new standard)
  PINS response end date of 3/1/2026
• ASB Std 244-202x, Standard for a Quality Assurance Program in Forensic Anthropology (new standard)
  PINS response end date of 3/1/2026

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!