ASB Newsletter – September 18, 2026

Newly Published Standards from the ASB!

The following documents have recently been approved for publication and are available on the ASB website: 

• ANSI/ASB Standard 078, Standard for Training in Forensic Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and Y-STR DNA Data Interpretation and Comparison, First Edition, 2026
  This standard provides the requirements for a forensic DNA laboratory's training program for autosomal and Y-STR data interpretation and comparison. This standard excludes training for DNA sequencing including the derivation of STR profiles from DNA sequencing data.
• ANSI/ASB Standard 081, Standard for Training in Statistical Calculations Used for Forensic Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA Data, First Edition, 2026
  This standard provides the requirements for a forensic DNA laboratory's training program for the use of statistical calculations and values reported for forensic autosomal and Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) DNA data.

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.

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 TR 016, Terminology Related to Friction Ridge Examination (Comment Deadline, November 2, 2026)
• ASB Std 022, Standard for Forensic DNA Training Programs, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, October 12, 2026)
• ASB Std 028, Standard for Wildlife Forensics Morphological Analysis, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, October 26, 2026)
• ASB Std 106, Standard for Protein Serology Methods for Taxonomic Identification in Wildlife Forensics, Second Edition (Comment Deadline, October 26, 2026)
• Withdrawal - ANSI/ASB Std 140, Standard for Training in Forensic Human Mitochondrial DNA Analysis, Interpretation, Comparison, Statistical Evaluation, and Reporting (Comment Deadline, October 12, 2026)
• Recirculation* - ASB BPR 174, Best Practice Recommendation for Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology (Comment Deadline, September 21, 2026)
• ASB Std 204, Standard for Decontamination of Operational Canines following Potential Environmental Exposure (Comment Deadline, October 26, 2026)
• ASB Std 205, Standard for Methodology in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (Comment Deadline, October 12, 2026)
• ASB TR 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   

Project Initiation Notification

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

• ASB Std 125-202x, Standard for Organizational and Foundational Components for Medicolegal Death Investigation Authorities (revision of ANSI/ASB Std 125-2021)
  PINS response end date of 10/18/2026
• ASB Std 111-202x, Standard for Training in Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis for Taxonomic Identification (revision of ANSI/AAFS ASB Std 111-2020)
  PINS response end date of 9/27/2026
• ASB Std 246-202x, Standard for Retention and Potential Disposition of Long-Term Unidentified Human Remains (new standard)
  PINS response end date of 10/4/2026

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!