AFQAM and TC 272
AFQAM is a member of the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 272. As a US TAG member, we currently have three representatives that provide input on the development of forensic science standards under development by ISO/TC 272. The US TAG for ISO/TC 272 is administered by ASCLD. The final submittal of the US position is submitted to ANSI via the administrator. ANSI is the official ISO member body responsible for providing the US position to ISO.
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Standards by ISO/TC 272 Forensic Sciences as of 11/14/2025
| Standard | Standard Description |
|---|---|
| Published Standards | |
| ISO 18385:2016 | Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect, store and analyze biological material for forensic purposes — Requirements |
| ISO 21043-1: 2025 | Forensic sciences — Part 1: Vocabulary |
| ISO 21043-2: 2018 | Forensic sciences — Part 2: Recognition, recording, collecting, transport and storage of items |
| ISO 21043-3: 2025 | Forensic sciences — Part 3: Analysis |
| ISO 21043-4: 2025 | Forensic sciences — Part 4: Interpretation |
| ISO 21043-5: 2025 | Forensic sciences — Part 5: Reporting |
| Standards Under Development | |
| ISO/CD 18385 | Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect, store and analyze biological material for forensic purposes — Requirements –Update to currently published standard |
| ISO/CD 21043-2.2 | Forensic sciences — Part 2: General requirements for the forensic process, and the recovery and management of items —Update to currently published standard |
ASCLD Accreditation Initiative (AAI) Collaboration
Previously, Federal grants were awarded to RTI to fund and manage the program. However, funds were terminated. AFQAM President was contacted in April 2024 to determine interest in a collaboration to keep the program going.
The AAI started in 2019 with a Program Coordinator and mentors. The goal was to provide mentorship and assistance to unaccredited forensic service providers to obtain accreditation. ASCLD does not collect a fee and neither do the mentors. The funding that was awarded by the grant was to support the hosting of web resources, provide virtual trainings (e.g., from Seaglass, ANAB, A2LA, etc.), and to reimburse mentors if/when they traveled to the labs to perform pre-assessments.
Since the funds and the Program management were terminated, ASCLD’s Accreditation and Standards Committee has taken over the management of the mentors and participating labs. AFQAM is working to determine how our organization can best support the AAI.
Certified Forensic Quality Professional (CFQP) Program
In collaboration with the National Forensic Science Academy (NFSA), the purpose of this project is to provide a fundamental understanding of the key concepts and terms in quality management.
An ad hoc committee was established by the AFQAM President during the 2023-2024 term to work on developing a curriculum for the program. As of the 2025 AFQAM Annual Training Conference, a program curriculum was developed and the minimum eligibility requirements were determined. A proposal was also drafted for the AFQAM Board’s approval for content creation.
In 2026, the committee will focus on creation of content and certification exam questions with anticipation of having the program completed and ready to administer by end of the year.