Celebrating Ten Years of the AAFS Standards Board

Forensics and Standards

When we watch crime shows on TV, it can feel like forensic science is exciting, clean, and answers are reached within an hour. But in reality, forensic science faces big challenges, including variable funding, state or local regulations, differences in instrumentation and rapidly evolving technology, and stakeholder expectations.

Over the past 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.

Where It All Began

Back in 2005, Congress authorized the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to take a close look at forensic science in the United States. Lawmakers realized that while DNA testing had been heavily studied and validated, other areas — like ballistics, blood spatter analysis, and handwriting examination — had not. 

That led to a major study by the National Research Council, which published a groundbreaking Report in 2009 called Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.

The 2009 Report: A Wake-Up Call

This Report states: 

". . . Standards and best practices create a professional environment that allows organizations and professions to create quality systems, policies, and procedures and maintain autonomy from vested interest groups. Standards ensure desirable characteristics of services and techniques such as quality, reliability, efficiency, and consistency among practitioners. Typically, standards are enforced through systems of accreditation and certification, wherein independent examiners and auditors test and audit the performance, policies, and procedures of both laboratories and service providers."  National Research Council Report

The Report made it clear: forensic science needed serious improvement. Among the issues it highlighted were:

• No national standards for most disciplines
• Different practices depending on the lab or state
• Gaps in training and education for forensic professionals
• Unclear rules for presenting forensic evidence in court
• Limited research to prove that many methods actually work as claimed

The message was simple: without strong standards, the reliability of forensic evidence — and the fairness of trials — was at risk.

Building a Stronger System

In response, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) teamed up in 2013. Together, they created two important groups:

• The National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS), which brought together scientists, lawyers, judges, and law enforcement to recommend changes.
• The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), which focuses on developing technical standards and best practices for forensic disciplines.

These groups made progress by drafting guidance, identifying gaps, and pushing for more reliable ways to handle evidence.

Enter the Standards Organizations

Standards in the United States are created through Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs). These groups bring experts together to agree on rules, methods, and ethical practices.

During the February 2015 meeting in Orlando, FL, AAFS President-Elect Victor Weedn appointed the Standards Development Organization (SDO) ad hoc Committee. The committee was charged with the exploration of the possibility of the Academy becoming an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) -accredited SDO. 

In July 2015, AAFS received a $1.5 million grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation over a four-year period to become an accredited SDO and provide the standards to the public free of charge. Since then, the Academy Standards Board (ASB) has formed 15 discipline-specific Consensus Bodies covering everything from DNA and toxicology to forensic nursing and wildlife forensics.

Here's how it works:

1. Draft standards are developed (often starting with OSAC).
2. The drafts are reviewed by a consensus body of experts.
3. The public is invited to comment (yes, anyone can weigh in).
4. Final standards are approved and published.

Today, more than 350 volunteers from across the country help shape these rules, ensuring they're practical, fair, and scientifically sound.

Why Standards Matter

Standards may not sound exciting, but they're the backbone of trust in forensic science. They make sure evidence is:

• Reliable — based on tested, validated methods
• Consistent — applied the same way in different labs and states
• Transparent — open to review and public accountability
• Fair — reducing the risk of wrongful convictions

For families seeking justice, lawyers arguing cases, and juries making decisions, that trust makes all the difference.

Looking Ahead

The work isn't finished. Forensic science covers a wide range of fields — from anthropology to document examinations to disaster victim identification — and each has its own challenges. But with stronger standards, better research, and open collaboration, forensic science is moving toward a future where the evidence in court is not just persuasive but scientifically sound.

In short, the goal is simple: science that serves justice, and justice that people can trust.