Forensic Science Standards: Where They Come From and How They Are Used

Abstract

This article provides a brief history of standardization in the forensic sciences, describes the current sources of these standards, and addresses how the standards promulgated by various organizations fit into the quality-assurance program of the forensic-science laboratory. The value of using voluntary consensus standards is described, and a table listing all of the voluntary consensus standards promulgated by ASTM Committee E 30 on Forensic Sciences is provided.