ASB Newsletter – May 2, 2025

Registration open for the Next Toxicology Webinar!

Mastering Measurement Uncertainty: From Theory to Practical Application

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM ET

With the recent publication of ANSI/ASB Standard 056, Standard for Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Toxicology, laboratories are faced with several considerations regarding implementation. Like any standard, there are a variety of ways to implement based on the laboratories scope. This webinar will discuss several approaches to implementation and provide helpful tools to ease the process. Register Here Now!

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 012, Technical Report on the Articulation of the Reasoning and Foundational Principles Behind Friction Ridge Examinations (Comment Deadline, May 26, 2025)
• ASB Std 030, Standard for a Quality Assurance Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, May 19, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB TR 071, Forensic Document Examination Terms and Definitions (Comment Deadline, May 26, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 076, Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Human Remains: Human Remains on Land (Comment Deadline, May 26, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 173, Standard for Education, Training, Continuing Education, and Certification of Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Personnel (Comment Deadline, June 16, 2025)
• Recirculation* - ASB Std 198, Standard for the Technical Review of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Reporting (Comment Deadline, May 19, 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 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 192-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for Peer Review of Medicolegal Death Investigation Reports (new standard)
• ASB Std 223-202x, Standard for Care During Medical Forensic Examinations (new standard)
• ASB Std 229-202x, Standard for the Examination and Comparison of Toolmarks for Source Attribution (new standard)
• ASB BPR 230-202x, Best Practice Recommendation for the Resolution of Conflicts in Toolmark Value Determinations and Source Conclusions (new standard)
• ASB G 236-202x, Guideline for Conducting Test Method Development, Validation, and Verification in Forensic Toxicology (new standard)

Published Standards from the ASB

To date, the ASB has published over 120 Standards/Best Practice Recommendations and Technical Reports. All ASB standards can be accessed through the ASB site. 

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!