The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is pleased to share that Mary McKiel, Ph.D., vice chair of the ANSI Board of Directors, co-authored an article entitled, “Advancing the Practice of Forensic Science in the United States – the Role of Forensic Standards,” which will appear in the 2021-2022 publication of Forensic Science Review. The journal article is focused on the need for reliable forensic standards in the legal system.
As a co-author with Julie Howe of Saint Louis University’s Department of Clinical Health Sciences; Pam King of the 3rd Judicial District Court of Rochester, Minnesota; Jeri D. Ropero-Miller of RTI International; and Gregory E. Berg of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Dr. Mckiel contributed expert insights on the voluntary standards system, its language and characteristics, forensic standards developing organizations, ANSI, and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
The article highlights the progression of government policy and private sector–led activities to address the critical need for effective standards and conformity assessment to keep pace with the advancement of forensic science. Of note, in 2015 the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) formed the Academy Standards Board (ASB), an ANSI-accredited standards developing organization, with the mission to “…safeguard justice and fairness through census-based documentary forensic science standards developed in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process,” according to the article.
“Forensic standards are critical to that aspect of public good that involves equity in application of the legal system in the United States,” said Dr. McKiel.
Dr. McKiel is president and CEO of the McKiel group and a standards consultant with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences – Academy Standards Board. She has a tremendous record of leadership and active engagement with ANSI and numerous other national and international standardization organizations, and previously served as a standards executive for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 22 years. ANSI congratulates Dr. McKiel on this latest achievement and thanks her for her many contributions to an equitable and effective U.S. standards system.