Source: Karolyn R. Tontarski, MS, Section Chair The Criminalistics Section is seeking volunteers to fill non-voting member AAFS Standards Board (ASB) Consensus Body (CB) positions. We are looking for individuals who will actively participate in the development of standards documents. ASB CB liaison positions the Criminalistics Section is seeking to fill are in the following […]
Sources: Marla E. Carroll, BS, Section Secretary, and Rhesa G. Gilliland, MS, Section Membership Committee Chair We have a great program scheduled for the 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, and we want as many people as possible who are qualified to attend to benefit from the presentations. Please tell your coworkers and colleagues about […]
Don’t Miss This Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium! Scientific research is being used to strengthen forensic science disciplines and develop new methods and tools for crime laboratories. Learn about the latest findings/developments during the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium (formerly referred to as the NIJ Grantees Meeting). This […]
UPDATE: AAFS regrets that Howard Schmidt is unable to serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s Interdisciplinary Symposium during the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas. However, AAFS is delighted to announce that Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Justice, has agreed to deliver the keynote address titled “Strengthening Forensic Science at […]
Source: Joanna Collins, Section Secretary Change is inevitable; you can adapt and overcome or you can resist and risk becoming unnecessary and obsolete. President Weedn’s theme for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Transformation: Embracing Change could not be more fitting as the mantra for the General Section and the overall field of forensic science. The […]
Source: John E. Gerns, MFS, 2016-17 President As summer comes to an end and fall begins knocking on our door, I have just returned from a part of the world where spring is beginning — I am speaking of New Zealand. This year, the AAFS International Educational Outreach Program (IEOP) took place in New Zealand, also […]
Source: John E. Gerns, MFS, 2016-17 President It’s hard to believe that it has already been five months since we all met in Las Vegas! It was an excellent venue for learning new techniques, exchanging ideas, meeting old friends, making new friends, and greeting colleagues. I assure you that our meeting in New Orleans will […]
A Report on Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods On September 20, 2016, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a Report to the President on Forensic Science In Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods. Full report (pdf) References (pdf) Request for Information Responses (pdf) Blog post
Although some countries have issued travels alerts for portions of the United States concerning the Zika virus, New Orleans is not currently in those alerts. The links below can help you stay up to date on U.S. Zika information: Areas with Zika in the U.S. (CDC) – http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html CDC Zika Info – http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ Prevention – http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html
IAFS 2017 is now less than a year away! The 21st Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) will be held in Toronto, Canada, August 21-25, 2017. The theme of IAFS 2017, Inter-Professional Collaboration in Forensic Science, will address the humanitarian aspects of forensic science to support human rights and justice. The […]
This article is out of date, please see: Important Hyatt Regency Accommodations Reservation Information or the AAFS Accommodations page for the most recent information. The NBA has announced it will move its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, NC. New Orleans has been proposed as an alternative, with the game day proposed as Sunday, February 19, 2017. The move […]
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new “Committees” search feature page on the AAFS website. In addition to up-to-date contact information, you will be able to see any member’s current participation in all AAFS committees. To access this new feature, go to http://www.aafs.org/about-aafs/aafs-commitees/. Let us know if you have any questions by contacting Jeff […]
Bradford J. Wing, MS, Secretariat, AAFS Standards Board SDO is a term meaning Standards Development Organization. OSAC stands for the Organization of Scientific Area Committees. The AAFS has established an SDO called the AAFS Standards Board (ASB) that works closely with OSAC to develop voluntary consensus standards, technical reports, and best practice recommendations. OSAC is […]
Source: Brad Wing, MS The American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB) has notified candidates of their selection for four Consensus Bodies: Disaster Victim Identification, DNA, Friction Ridge, and Wildlife Forensics. Approximately every two weeks, the ASB will announce selections for more Consensus Bodies. The next group will include: Anthropology, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Firearms […]
Dr. Charles J. Stahl III, age 85, Retired Fellow of the AAFS Pathology/Biology Section, passed away on March 1, 2016, in Johnson City, TN, after a progressive illness. Son of Myrtle Esher Stahl and Charles J. Stahl, Jr., Dr. Stahl was born in Philadelphia, PA. He was raised in Harleysville, PA, where he was a […]
Editors: Jacob Griffin, MS, and Ashley E. Foster, MAS A Letter from the YFSF President As the seasons begin to change, it is time to start travel planning for the AAFS 69th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, which is only four months away! Hotel and accommodation information can be found at aafs.org. In the […]
Editors: Jacob Griffin, MS, and Ashley Foster, MAS A Letter From the YFSF President The Young Forensic Scientists Forum (YFSF) is excited to be starting a busy summer planning for the 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting. This July newsletter is the first to be published by this year’s YFSF committee. Please take the time to read […]
Purpose: The Jan Grant Award is to provide Graduate Students with financial assistance to complete their thesis or independent research project as required for a graduate degree in Criminalistics/Forensic Sciences. The thesis or research project must be in the field of Criminalistics/Forensic Sciences. Jan S. Bashinski Criminalistics Graduate Thesis Assistance Grant Eligibility Requirements: The applicant […]
In collaboration with the Forensic Sciences Foundation (FSF), CRC Press will fund the top-scoring FSF Student Travel Grant candidate as determined through the FSF selection process outlined in the article entitled “FSF Student Travel Grants.” In addition to funding the $1,500 travel grant, CRC Press will donate an “instant library” worth $1,500 (list price) in […]
The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is asking for your comments on and reaction to the proposed standards shown below for academic programs in forensic investigation and related areas. Background: FEPAC has recently been discussing the possibility of expanding the scope of its accreditation activities to areas other than classic forensic science/criminalistics. A […]
Over the course of the last two years, FEPAC and a subcommittee comprised of educators and practitioner experts in the field conducted an in depth review of the FEPAC standards as they relate to Digital & Multimedia Forensic Science. The review was initiated as a result of concerns expressed by the computer science community that […]