ISO 21043-3:2025
(Main)Forensic sciences — Part 3: Analysis
Forensic sciences — Part 3: Analysis
This document specifies requirements and provides recommendations to safeguard the process for the analysis of items of potential forensic value. It includes requirements and recommendations for the selection and application of suitable method(s) for the analysis to meet the needs of the customer and fulfil the request. The requirements are designed to ensure the use of suitable methods, proper controls, qualified personnel and appropriate analytical strategies throughout the forensic analysis of items. This document is applicable to activities conducted by a forensic service provider that occur at the scene and within a facility. This document is applicable to all disciplines of forensic science; however, it is not applicable to the recovery of digital data which is covered by ISO/IEC 27037. The requirements and recommendations facilitate the comprehensive, accurate and reliable analysis of items.
Criminalistique — Partie 3: Analyse
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 21043-3
First edition
Forensic sciences —
2025-06
Part 3:
Analysis
Criminalistique —
Partie 3: Analyse
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 1
4.1 General .1
4.2 Validation and verification of methods .2
4.3 Equipment and consumables .3
4.4 Calibration and performance checks .3
4.5 Metrological traceability .3
4.6 Reference samples, control samples, collections and databases .4
4.7 Measurement uncertainty and significant figures.4
4.8 Performance monitoring .4
5 Personnel . 5
6 Facilities . 5
7 Environmental conditions . 5
8 Acceptance and rejection of requests and items . 6
8.1 Acceptance and rejection of the customer’s request .6
8.2 Recording of accepted or rejected items .6
9 Analytical strategy . 6
9.1 General requirements .6
9.2 Assessment prior to analysis .7
9.3 Selection of methods .7
9.4 Item selection, sampling and preparation .7
10 Purpose of the analysis . 8
10.1 Classification or identification .8
10.2 Quantification . . .8
10.3 Question of source .8
10.4 Reconstruction .8
11 Reliability of observations . 9
Annex A (informative) Examples . 10
Bibliography .12
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 272, Forensic sciences, in collaboration with
the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 419, Forensic science
processes, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna
Agreement).
A list of all parts in the ISO 21043 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
This document is part of a series that includes the different components of the forensic process from scene
to courtroom. Other parts of the ISO 21043 series are:
— ISO 21043-1;
— ISO 21043-2;
— ISO 21043-4;
— ISO 21043-5.
The examples given in Annex A are provided for information only.
v
International Standard ISO 21043-3:2025(en)
Forensic sciences —
Part 3:
Analysis
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and provides recommendations to safeguard the process for the
analysis of items of potential forensic value. It includes requirements and recommendations for the selection
and application of suitable method(s) for the analysis to meet the needs of the customer and fulfil the request.
The requirements are designed to ensure the use of suitable methods, proper controls, qualified personnel
and appropriate analytical strategies throughout the forensic analysis of items.
This document is applicable to activities conducted by a forensic service provider that occur at the scene and
within a facility. This document is applicable to all disciplines of forensic science; however, it is not applicable
to the recovery of digital data which is covered by ISO/IEC 27037.
The requirements and recommendations facilitate the comprehensive, accurate and reliable analysis of items.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 21043-1, Forensic sciences — Part 1: Vocabulary
ISO 21043-2, Forensic sciences — Part 2: Recognition, recording, collecting, transport and storage of items
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 21043-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 General requirements
4.1 General
The procedures, including methods, for the analysis of items shall be documented, suitable for their intended
use and, when applicable, include information regarding:
a) measures that mitigate the risk of loss, degradation, contamination or alteration of items;
b) the selection of methods suitable to address the customer’s request;
c) method limitations;
d) maintenance, operation and calibration of equipment (hardware and software), including relevant
performance parameters that can substantially impact the observations and their interpretation;
e) selection or sampling of items;
f) use of reference samples and control samples;
g) metrological traceability;
h) item preparation;
i) environmental conditions that can substantially impact the observations and their interpretation;
j) activities to demonstrate reliability of the observations;
k) assessment of measurement uncertainty;
l) use of any external service providers.
The examiner shall record the relevant observations, data, information and methods used during
analysis. Information includes reference to uniquely identified equipment and consumables that can
substantially impact the reliability of the observations.
Deviations from a procedure shall be recorded and the record retained.
Refer to ISO 21043-2 for further requirements and recommendations for item handling and control, including
collecting packaging, labelling, transport, storage and chain of custody.
4.2 Validation and verification of methods
4.2.1 Methods, including software, calculations and measurements, shall be validated prior to
implementation. Prior to implementation, methods previously validated elsewhere shall be verified at the
facility where they are to be used, prior to implementation. O
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