ASB Newsletter – February 6, 2026
The 78th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Back to Basics: The Fundamentals of Forensic Science
February 9-14, 2026 - New Orleans, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Forensics and Standards: 10 Years of the AAFS Standards Board
Over the last two decades, scientists, lawmakers, and professionals have been working to address challenges by setting clear standards for forensic science that make sure evidence is collected, tested, and presented in the most reliable way possible. These standards also provide the forensic community with a means to advocate for resources to meet the standards. Read more about 10 years of the ASB here!
Stop by the AAFS Store in New Orleans to purchase your ASB 10-year Anniversary Pen!
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!
New ASB Documents!
- 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:
- Recirculation * - ASB Std 136, Forensic Laboratory Standard for Prevention, Monitoring, and Mitigation of Human DNA Contamination (ASB Comment Deadline, February 12, 2026)
- Recirculation* - ASB BPR 183, Best Practice Recommendation for Limited Friction Ridge Examinations (Comment Deadline, February 16, 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
Project Initiation Notification
The following proposed new documents have recently been approved by the ASB for work:
- ASB BPR 068-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for the Safe Handling of Firearms and Ammunition (revision of ANSI/ASB BPR 068-2020)
PINS response end date of 2/8/2026 - ASB Std 093-202x, Standard for the Forensic Examination and Testing of Firearms (revision of ANSI/ASB STD 093-2020)
PINS response end date of 2/22/2026 - ASB BPR 126-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for Casting Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence at the Crime Scene (revision of ANSI/ASB BPR 126-2020)
PINS response end date of 2/8/2026 - ASB BPR 239-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for the Identification of Decedents by the Medicolegal Death Investigation Authorities (new standard)
PINS response end date of 2/22/2026 - 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 - ASB Std 245-202x, Standard for the Systematic Verification of Alternative Training Aids for Detection Canine Disciplines (new standard)
PINS response end date of 2/22/2026
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!
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.