The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has begun work on a new Scientific Foundation Review for footwear impression examination and will hold a workshop on this review at the 2023 International Association for Identification (IAI) Annual International Forensic Educational Conference. The IAI Conference will be held Aug. 20-26 in National Harbor, Maryland, and the NIST-hosted workshop will take place Aug. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. EDT. NIST Scientific Foundation Reviews document and evaluate the scientific basis for forensic science methods and practices. These reviews focus on ..read more

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized the report Bitemark Analysis: A NIST Scientific Review. The report details the findings from a NIST review of the scientific foundations of bitemark analysis, a forensic technique used to compare the marks on the skin of a biting victim with the teeth of a potential biter. Following a short introduction on how the review was conducted, the report includes chapters on: Background information on bitemark analysis, including the principles and practices involved in bitemark analysis and comparison. Data and information sourc ..read more

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) released its 2022 Registry Implementation Survey results. The report provides a detailed look at the implementation status of the 95 standards posted on the OSAC Registry through June 2022. The survey is designed to help OSAC better understand how the standards on the OSAC Registry are being used, the challenges around standards implementation and what support is needed to improve it. The report includes several key takeaways from the survey, including that 128 out of 177 survey respondents reported that their organizat ..read more

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized the report Digital Investigation Techniques: A NIST Scientific Foundation Review. The report reviews the scientific foundations of forensic methods for analyzing computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices. A draft report was first published in May and was open for public comments through July. The report was updated based on the comments received and to improve clarity, flow and accessibility. In the report, the authors point out some limitations of digital investigations that practitioners should be aware of ..read more

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published Bitemark Analysis: A NIST Scientific Review. The draft report will be open for public comments through Dec. 12, 2022. The report details the findings from a NIST review of the scientific foundations of bitemark analysis, a forensic technique used to compare the marks on the skin of a biting victim with the teeth of a potential biter. There were several key takeaways identified as part of the scientific review, including one that states that bitemark analysis is not supported by sufficient data: Forensic bitemark analysis ..read more

INSIGHTS Surveying Practicing Firearms Examiners OVERVIEW In recent years, there has been much discussion and debate regarding firearm examiner testimony, but little is known empirically about the actual practices of firearm examiners in conducting casework. Researchers funded by CSAFE conducted a survey of practicing firearms examiners to better understand the conditions of their casework, as well as their views of the field and its relations with other parts of the justice system. Lead Researchers Nicholas Scurich Brandon L. Garrett Robert M. Thompson Journal Forensic Science Inte ..read more

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will host a webinar to discuss its latest Scientific Foundation Review on bitemark analysis. The webinar will be held Oct. 27 from 1–3 p.m. EDT. NIST Scientific Foundation Reviews document and evaluate the scientific basis for forensic science methods and practices. These reviews focus on the published scientific literature and other relevant sources of data that can provide information on questions of reliability. To date, NIST has begun foundation reviews on DNA mixture interpretation, digital evidence, bitemark analysis, and firearms ..read more

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science has placed two new standards covering firearm and toolmark analysis on its Registry of Approved Standards. According to a recent news release, these new standards provide guidance on implementing 3D technologies in forensic labs. The new standards are: ANSI/ASB Standard 062, Standard for Topography Comparison Software for Toolmark Analysis ANSI/ASB Standard 063, Implementation of 3D Technologies in Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Comparison Laboratories The new release noted that researchers have been developing new met ..read more

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced the dates for its annual Forensics@NIST. The virtual event will be held Nov. 8–10, 2022. Forensics@NIST will feature presentations from NIST scientists on how they are using advanced methods in metrology, computer science and statistics to strengthen forensic science. The topics to be covered are: drugs/toxins statistical methods in forensic science firearms and toolmarks forensic genetics trace digital and multimedia biometrics As a NIST Center of Excellence, the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Eviden ..read more

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science will host its annual Public Update Meeting on Sept. 13, 2022, from 1–4:35 p.m. EDT. Attendees will learn how OSAC is making an impact on the forensic science community through standards. The virtual meeting will feature presentations from the seven chairs of OSAC’s Scientific Area Committees and the chair of the Forensic Science Standards Board. Each presenter will describe their committee’s activities, including the latest standards actions, research gaps, challenges being addressed and priorities for the coming year ..read more