How does the OSAC contribute to the development of standards?

The OSAC, or the Organization of Scientific Area Committees, plays a critical role in the development of standards by evaluating and proposing them. This function involves gathering input from various stakeholders, including experts and practitioners in the field, to ensure that the standards are relevant, scientifically sound, and practical to implement. This collaborative approach helps to create standards that not only meet the needs of the community but also enhance the quality and consistency of practices within forensic science.

In contrast, simply marketing standards to the public does not contribute to their development; it is more about dissemination than creation. Facilitating discussions between practitioners is valuable for obtaining input but does not alone result in the formulation of new standards. Requiring certifications could lead to increased accountability but does not directly relate to the process of developing standards themselves. Therefore, the evaluation and proposal of standards is the most integral function that the OSAC provides in this context.