Microtrace Scientist Appointed to National Forensic Science Committee

Microtrace Microscopist Ethan Groves was recently appointed as a member of OSAC (Organization for Scientific Area Committees), a committee designed to provide policy guidance to the U.S attorney general for the development of national standards in forensic science. Ethan has been appointed to the Geological Materials Subcommittee, which focuses on standards and guidelines related to the collection, analysis, reporting, and interpretation of soils and other geological materials.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) works with the forensic science community to continue the work of OSAC, which coordinates the development of standards and guidelines for the forensic science community to improve quality and consistency of work in the forensic science community.  The organization attempts to bring a uniform structure to what was previously an ad hoc system, with the goal of improving the quality and consistency of forensic science in the United States.

Ethan joins Microtrace scientists Skip Palenik, (Geological Materials Subcommittee),  Dr. Christopher Palenik (Materials (Trace) Subcommittee), and Jason Beckert (Materials (Trace) Subcommittee Affiliate) on this prestigious network of committees.

OSAC Background

OSAC is providing a framework for long-term coordination across forensic science disciplines and is part of NIST’s commitment to support forensic science through an initiative launched in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in February 2013. As part of this effort, the DOJ established a new National Commission on Forensic Science in January 2014 to provide policy guidance to the U.S. Attorney General and help set priorities for standards development. NIST’s Acting Director May is the commission co-chair along with Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, and NIST Fellow John Butler serves as a vice-chair with Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Office of Forensic Science Nelson Santos.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov. To learn more about NIST’s efforts on forensic science, visit www.nist.gov/forensics.

Microtrace Background

Microtrace is an independent laboratory specializing in the characterization and identification of single, small particles and unknown materials using a combination of modern and traditional microscopical and microchemical techniques. Microtrace provides solutions to problems outside or beyond the scope of typical forensic and industrial laboratories. Our expertise in analytical microscopy and microchemistry has earned us an international reputation and we have been involved in cases ranging from the Green River Murders to the Jon Benet Ramsey investigation. Clients from industry, the law and the United States and foreign governments have put their trust in both our skill and discretion to handle their most delicate projects.

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