Trace Evidence Quality Assurance Guidelines

Education requirements, ethics, validation, proficiency tests and other topics relative to quality assurance are included.

Process to create

  • Recent developments in the DNA community suggested similar action in the other forensic disciplines. The  issuance of the term "technical" advisor" and and "peer" review of all cases.
  • Draft offered for community comment
  • Comments reviewed by the Quality Assurance subgroup and incorporated or denied. All changes presented to the full SWG for their review
  • Final draft voted on by full SWG-if approved, submitted to ASTM for incorporation
  • Enforcement - Voluntary

Trace Evidence Proficiency Testing Guidelines

Details to ensure a usable and applicable testing sample for inclusion in a proficiency test. To include descriptors on various options for testing.

Process to create

  • Failure for appropriate test samples to be submitted to trace analysis
  • Submitted to ASCLD/LAB for comment
  • Comments reviewed by the SWG and incorporated or denied
  • Final draft voted on by full SWG
  • Enforcement - Voluntary

Expert Reporting Guideline

Information that should be included in reports that contain expert opinions concerning analyses, comparisons, associations, and other interpretations drawn during a forensic evidence examination

Process to create

  • To provide standardization to an analysis generally conducted randomly and frequently in forensic science laboratories
  • Drafts offered to community for comment
  • Comments reviewed by the tape subgroup and incorporated or denied. All changes presented to the full SWG for their review
  • Final draft voted on by the full SWG, if approved, submitted to ASTM for incorporation
  • Enforcement - Voluntary

Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines

Details on techniques that should be employed when collecting trace evidence. Explanations are provided to assist in the section of the appropriate methodology.

Process to create

  • Improperly submitted evidence demonstrated the need.
  • Drafts offered for community comment.
  • Comments reviewed by the full SWG and incorporated or denied.
  • Final draft voted on by the full SWG - if approved, submitted to ASTM for incorporation.