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Forensic Science Service Providers
The “traditional” 420+ publicly funded forensic crime labs as well as the thousands of other “non-traditional” forensic science service providers (FSSPs) (e.g., those smaller operations that may only provide examination or analysis support in one or a few disciplines like crime scene investigation, fingerprints, or digital evidence) are the primary beneficiaries of the standards on the OSAC Registry. For these publicly and privately funded FSSPs, the OSAC Registry contains minimum requirements, best practices, protocols, or other information to promote valid, reliable, and reproducible forensic science results.
Currently, 159 FSSPs across the U.S. have self-declared their use of standards on the OSAC Registry and include:
- 84 state FSSPs (from 19 states)
- 50 local/county/city FSSPs
- 8 federal FSSPs
- 5 academic FSSPs (those that process forensic evidence/casework)
- 4 international FSSPs
Putting Standards Implementation into Action
Standards implementation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each FSSP and discipline will have unique needs and approaches. Both “traditional” and “non-traditional” FSSPs can voluntarily implement the standards on the OSAC Registry (or portions of standards) that work best for their situation.
Whether an FSSP is new to standards implementation, or has already put it into action, here are some tips to help. Learn more about each of these by clicking on the headings below.
- PREPARE/LEARN: Enlist support from management and get familiar with the OSAC Registry and the standards that are applicable to your organization.
- PLAN: Determine which standards are applicable to your organization, along with the requirements you may already be following. Enlist the help of other FSSPs and mentors for technical guidance on implementation.
- IMPLEMENT: Document your implementation status and let OSAC know about your accomplishments by submitting an OSAC Registry Implementation Survey.
- MANAGE/MAINTAIN: Continue to monitor the OSAC Registry for new standards and share updates with on your organization’s implementation status on a regular annual basis.
Is your organization implementing standards on the OSAC Registry?
Review the instructions and complete OSAC's new electronic survey to let us know!
If you are a FSSP and a first-time implementer, you will receive a certificate you can display at your facility.
