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Tracking standards and trends in trace evidence – A review by the AFSN Trace Evidence Workgroup

By The Forensic Experts Group

Lim Chin Chin*, Chia Poh Ling, R. Minhad, P Suppajariyawat
Forensic Asia, Issue 2, 2012 (AFSN newsletter)

One of the preliminary studies set up by the AFSN Trace Evidence workgroup in 2009 was to track standards and trends in trace evidence analysis. This presentation is a snapshot of some current trends observed in the trace evidence workgroups in other continents namely: United States of America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It aims to spark off discussions within the Asian Forensic Sciences Network and identify the path forward for trace evidence analysis in Asia. This preliminary study will focus on the following areas:

  1. Current state of trace evidence: Quality issues and gaps in trace evidence analysis identified in the different surveys conducted in the United States and Europe.
  2. Standards and Guidelines that are used by the laboratories in the various regions, the new initiative that they are currently looking into, and the responses of various organizations to the National Academy of Science (NAS) report: “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States – A Path Forward”.
  3. Interpretation, Evaluation and Report Writing: Recommendations and guidelines for good report writing. Statistical tools used in the evaluation of trace evidence and the countries which are currently using these tools in their casework.
  4. Technology and Manufacturing Trends: New and emerging techniques used in trace evidence analysis.
  5. Education and Training: How trace evidence communities can engage the tertiary institutes and collaborate with their strategic partners in education and training.