(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana State Police (ISP) Forensic Scientist John M. Chester has been appointed to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), which is administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Chester has been selected to serve on the Chemistry/Instrumental Analysis Committee as a member of the Fire Debris & Explosives Subcommittee within the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC). The appointment is an initial three-year term.
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science works to strengthen the nation’s use of forensic science by facilitating the development of technically sound forensic science standards and by promoting the adoption of those standards by the forensic science community.
These standards are written documents that define minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols, and other guidance to help ensure that the results of forensic analysis are reliable and reproducible.
OSAC is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), but the great majority of its more than 550 members are from other government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. These members have expertise in twenty-five specific forensic disciplines, as well as general expertise in scientific research, measurement science, statistics, law, and policy.
OSAC members work together to develop and evaluate forensic science standards via a transparent, consensus-based process that allows for participation and comment by all stakeholders.
The Fire Debris and Explosives Subcommittee focuses on standards and guidelines related to the examination and analysis of fire debris and explosive evidence. This includes several different methods of analysis, interpretation, classification and identification of ignitable liquids and explosives.
“John’s appointment to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees is a credit to his technical expertise and professional standing in the forensic science community. We are very fortunate to have John as part of our system, and his appointment serves as yet another example to the quality that our scientists employ as part of their job duties and responsibilities on a daily basis,” said Laboratory Division Commander, Major Steven Holland. “Our laboratory system has scientists selected to participate in each level of the OSAC, and the reason we enjoy this high regard and standing within the community is because of the dedicated efforts of our staff that John so well represents. He is very deserving of this appointment and we are pleased to see another representative from the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division on such important national level committees.”
Chester has been working for the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division in the Microanalysis (Trace) Evidence Unit at the Indianapolis Regional Laboratory Division for over 16 years.
