Whether you realize it or not, we trust standards in almost every part of our lives… cars, food, medications, even the construction of buildings! Yet in forensic science, many labs still operate without the same baseline assurances. That gap isn’t just inconvenient – it can be dangerous for examiners, courts, and the people whose lives hang in the balance of our work.
From ensuring evidence is collected correctly to making sure testimony holds up under cross-examination, consistency matters. Without it, innocent people can be wrongfully convicted, victims and families can be denied justice, and forensic professionals themselves can face unnecessary stress and liability.
That’s why conversations about standardization in forensic science are so critical. In this episode of the Forensics Unfiltered podcast, we dive into why standards matter, what resistance to change looks like, and how improving forensic science procedures benefits everyone from examiners to the courtroom to the broader justice system.
🎧 Watch the full podcast episode below, then scroll down to explore the topic in more depth!
The Everyday Power of Standards
Think about your life for a second. You don’t question whether your car will meet safety regulations. You don’t inspect every piece of food you buy for contamination. You trust that medications meet strict guidelines. Standards make life predictable, safe, and manageable.
So why is forensic science different?
Why do so many labs still operate without baseline expectations?
The truth is simple: forensic work is complicated, evolving, and highly specialized. But that doesn’t make the absence of standards any less risky.
Consider this:
- Without standardized procedures, a latent print examiner may use different techniques than a coworker, even within the same lab.
- Crime scene evidence might be documented inconsistently, creating gaps that defense attorneys can exploit.
- Victims and families may never receive closure because evidence testing was unreliable.
Standards in forensic science are the baseline that ensures reliability, accuracy, and accountability. Without them, examiners operate in a high-stakes guessing game.
The Current Landscape of Forensic Science
Many forensic units still lack comprehensive training programs or written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In some agencies, detectives and deputies are suddenly tasked with latent print analysis or crime scene work with minimal guidance. It’s no wonder examiners feel anxious when they testify in court.
Without documented standards:
⚠️ Court testimony becomes riskier, with defense attorneys easily challenging credibility.
⚠️ Procedures cannot be shown to meet reproducibility or peer-review requirements.
⚠️ Labs are more vulnerable to closure or litigation due to inconsistent practices.
Brianne recalls working for an agency without in-house SOPs and describes the experience as “terrifying.” The anxiety wasn’t from incompetence – it was from not having a safety net to show that the work met recognized standards.
Why Resistance to Standardization Happens in Forensics
Change is hard. Especially in fields where professionals have decades of experience and established ways of working. Many forensic examiners and agencies fear:
- Loss of autonomy: “Standards will make us all identical.”
- Extra work: “Implementing these standards is too difficult.”
- Disrespect for tradition: “We’ve always done it this way.”
But here’s the reality: standards are not about making everyone identical. They set a baseline for safety, quality, and reliability, while still leaving room for individual approach, creativity, and expertise.
Think of cars again. Every vehicle must meet safety standards for tires, brakes, and crashworthiness. But each model has unique features, styling, and performance characteristics. Standards create a safety floor, not a ceiling.
In forensic science, adopting baseline standards ensures every examiner can meet minimum expectations while still allowing labs to innovate and adapt to their unique context.
How Standards Improve Forensic Science Procedures
Standardization isn’t just bureaucratic red tape – it’s a tool to improve forensic science procedures. Here’s how:
1. Enhances Courtroom Confidence
When procedures are documented, peer-reviewed, and generally accepted:
- Examiners can point to published standards during testimony
- Defense attorneys have fewer opportunities to challenge methods unfairly
- Judges and juries gain confidence in the evidence
For examiners, this makes testifying less stressful and more predictable by having the right tools to explain your work clearly and confidently.
2. Protects Examiners
Without written procedures, examiners often carry the weight of judgment alone. That anxiety can be overwhelming:
- “Am I doing this correctly?”
- “Will my testimony hold up?”
- “Could my mistake harm someone?”
Standards provide a framework to answer these questions, reducing personal liability and stress.
3. Ensures Consistency Across Labs
Even within the same state or region, labs may vary widely in procedures. Standardization creates:
- Reproducible results
- Easier collaboration between labs
- Reduced risk of shoddy work impacting cases
Consistency doesn’t mean identical methods; it means everyone meets a reliable, baseline quality of work.
4. Elevates Training and Professional Development
Many agencies still lack formal training programs. Standardized procedures allow new examiners to:
- Learn proven methods efficiently
- Understand what’s generally accepted in the field
- Build confidence before handling critical evidence
This is especially important in crime scene units and latent print divisions, where mistakes can carry high consequences.
Organizations Driving Standardization in Forensic Science
Fortunately, there are organizations leading the way in creating and implementing standards:
OSAC (Organization of Scientific Area Committees)
- Develops forensic standards and guidelines across multiple disciplines.
- Ensures processes are peer-reviewed, documented, and widely accepted.
ASB (American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Forensic Science Standards Boards)
- Volunteer-driven groups focused on creating reliable, quality-driven forensic documentation.
- Members come from diverse backgrounds: examiners, educators, attorneys.
ISO & ANSI
- Provide internationally recognized baseline standards for labs and forensic procedures.
The key takeaway? Standards do not mean identical procedures. They establish a baseline. Labs can still innovate, adapt workflows, and personalize processes, as long as the work meets minimum quality and safety criteria. Think of it like cars: each model looks different but still has tires that meet safety specifications.
How to Get Involved with Standardization Efforts
Want to contribute to improving forensic science procedures at a national level? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Check ASB and OSAC websites for membership opportunities.
- Start as a non-voting or affiliate member to observe processes, participate in discussions, and join working groups.
- Progress to voting member when ready to formally approve standards.
Brianne’s experience:
“Non-voting membership gave me a chance to get my feet under me before becoming a voting member. You can participate fully without immediately having to vote.”
Participation allows you to learn, contribute, and shape standards that will protect examiners and the public alike.
The Future of Forensics
The reality is that change is inevitable. Technology evolves, methods improve, and new discoveries reshape the field. Clinging to “the way we’ve always done it” doesn’t honor the legacy of previous experts – it limits the future.
Standards give examiners a platform to:
✅ Build on prior work safely.
✅ Improve reproducibility and court defensibility.
✅ Ensure the next generation has a stronger, safer starting point.
Brianne sums it up beautifully:
“The best legacy we can leave is something that allows people to jump from an elevated platform and go further than we did.”
Resources and Next Steps
You don’t need to overhaul your entire lab tomorrow. Here are actionable steps you can take today:
- Start small – Create or review SOPs for your current procedures.
- Participate in training – Explore self-paced courses or live sessions through The Vault membership.
- Engage in professional organizations – Apply for affiliate or non-voting membership in ASB or OSAC.
- Promote understanding – Educate administrators and colleagues on the importance of standardization in forensic science.
Additional Resources:
- Uncover Forensics: Access more self-paced courses.
- ASB Membership: Learn how to become an affiliate or voting member.
- OSAC Membership: Find information on participation and public comment opportunities.
Remember, standardization doesn’t stifle creativity. It makes your work as an examiner easier, less stressful, and more defensible in court. If you’re in the field and haven’t yet explored these resources, now is the time!
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to go back and watch the full podcast episode with Brianne Breedlove. Learn from her experience, and then take the first step toward building safer, stronger, and more trustworthy forensic processes today.
And for those looking to dive even deeper, Brianne’s presentations from the Forensic Supervisor Success Summit and the Forensic Trainer Symposium are available inside The Vault membership, giving you access to her expertise on leading through challenges and creating impactful presentations.
Learn more about The Vault and access these replays here
