About Scientific Working
Groups
Since the early 1990s, American and International forensic science
laboratories and practitioners have collaborated in Scientific
Working Groups** (SWGs) to improve discipline practices and build
consensus standards. Current SWGs include the following:
FISWG - Facial Identification Scientific
Working Group
SWGANTH - Forensic Anthropology
SWGCBRN - Chemical,
Biological, Radiological
and Nuclear
SWGDAM - DNA
Analysis
SWGDE - Digital Evidence
SWGDOC - Questioned
Documents
SWGDOG - Scent Dog
SWGDRUG - Analysis of Seized Drugs
SWGFAST - Scientific Working
Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology
SWGGUN - Firearms and Toolmarks
SWGIBRA - Illicit Business Records
SWGIT - Imaging
Technologies
SWGMAT - Materials
SWGSTAIN - Bloodstain
Pattern Analysis
SWGTREAD - Footwear and Tiretracks
In early 1998, the FBI Laboratory
performed a strategic review of all SWGs. This review determined the
need for administrative and web-based support for the entire SWG effort.
To achieve this, the FBI Laboratory has worked collaboratively with the
National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC). The NFSTC has provided assistance
with the following:
- Developing and implementing optimal
business processes that will establish and maintain consistency in SWG
organization, life cycle, and business processes.
- Establishing mechanisms that ensure
laboratory management's strong commitment and support for personnel
participating in and contributing to the SWGs.
- Establishing an infrastructure for
effective communication within and among SWGs and the national and
international forensic communities.
- Conducting studies on alternate models
to increase awareness, improve effectiveness, and reduce
costs.
* This page is adapted from information at
http://www.swggun.org/.
** During the
1990s, several US Government-supported forensic working groups
were formed and met for one-day to one-week for the purpose of
addressing a specific topic. Circa 1999, the working group names
for long-term working groups addressing forensic science disciplines
were changed to SWGs to differentiate their activities and
documents from short-term groups.
