Two DNA Standards Considered for OSAC Registry

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science Registry serves as a trusted repository of high-quality, technically sound standards and guidelines for the practice of forensic science. Two DNA standards that were originally drafted by OSAC’s Biological Data Interpretation and Reporting Subcommittee and published as  American National Standards by the Academy Standards Board's DNA Consensus Body are currently under consideration for placement on the OSAC  Registry.

When it comes to DNA evidence, detailed and comprehensive protocols are needed to ensure reliable and consistent interpretation and comparison of DNA data from single source and mixed DNA samples. Before casework data can be interpreted and compared, however, internal validation studies and appropriate laboratory-approved interpretation protocols are needed. The validation data is critical to determine a laboratory's capabilities and limitations, and provide the basis for how a laboratory developed its interpretation protocols.

OSAC has opened a thirty-day comment period to give the forensic science community an opportunity to provide specific feedback as to why the following two standards should or should not be placed on the OSAC Registry: 

• ANSI/ASB Standard 020, Standard for Validation Studies of DNA Mixtures, and Development and Verification of a Laboratory’s Mixture Interpretation Protocol, First Edition, 2018. This standard describes the requirements for the design and evaluation of internal validation studies for mixed DNA samples and the development of appropriate interpretation protocols for mixtures based on the validation studies performed. The document applies to any type of DNA testing technology and methodology used, including but not limited to, STR testing, DNA sequencing, SNP testing, haplotype testing, traditional and rapid protocols, etc., where mixtures of DNA may be encountered, analyzed and interpreted. Please submit your comments by 11:59 PM ET on December 13, 2019. 
• ANSI/ASB Standard 040, Standard for Forensic DNA Interpretation and Comparison Protocols, First Edition, 2019. This standard provides requirements for a laboratory’s DNA interpretation and comparison protocol(s) and provides direction for its development. These requirements include distinguishing single source data from mixed data, defining assumptions that may be used, defining limitations of the interpretation methods and determining when data are unsuitable for interpretation or comparison based on the laboratory’s internal validation studies, published scientific literature and other appropriate scientific resources where available. Please submit your comments by 11:59 PM ET on December 13, 2019. 

To consistently produce reliable, repeatable, and reproducible interpretations and conclusions that are supported by internal validation data and laboratory protocols, laboratories are encouraged to use these two documents in conjunction. 

Both standards have been published by the AAFS Standards Board (ASB), and if approved, will be the first DNA standards placed on the OSAC Registry.

Please visit the OSAC website to learn more about all the OSAC Registry Approved Standards and the benefits to being an OSAC Registry Implementer.