An updated AAFS Policy and Procedure Manual has been posted to the website here. The Table of Contents is linked to the appropriate pages in order to ease the navigation. The 2020–21 Board of Directors approved the following: New introductory information under “Section 6. – Committee Activities” that clarifies standard operating protocols Clarification of standard […]
Source: Carl R. McClary, MS, AAFS Content Digitization Ad Hoc Committee Chair and President-Elect Did you miss attending the AAFS meeting in Anaheim, CA, this year? If so, or you missed a workshop because you were in another, check out the AAFS Connect on-demand program that is gaining in popularity! Please take a minute and click […]
Sources: Vincent P. Villena, MS, RAC Chair and Desiree Reid, SAFS Representative to the RAC The 4th organization we are featuring in this month’s Regional Association Committee update is presented by its past president, Desiree Reid, of the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists (SAFS). On September 9, 1966, forensic scientists from the southern region of […]
Medicine and Law is an international publication dealing with medicolegal issues. The journal is comprised of original articles, court decisions, and legislation on topics including medical law, forensic medicine, sexology and law, psychiatry and law, psychology and law, dentistry and law, nursing law, pharmaceutical law, medical ethics, clinical criminology, drugs, alcohol, child abuse, medical experimentation, […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the first large-scale black box study for digital forensics. There have been black box studies for fingerprint and ballistic examiners, but this is the first large-scale black box study for digital forensics. It will test how well experts perform […]
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is a multidisciplinary professional organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. In light of current events, it is important to reiterate that as an organization, the Academy always has been, and remains, committed to promoting education, to fostering research, to improving […]
AAFS Regional Association Committee (RAC) Update Sources: Vincent P. Villena, MS, RAC Chair and Brooke J. Ehlers, MAFS, Representative to the RAC The third organization we are featuring in this month’s Regional Association Committee update is presented by its current president, Brooke Ehlers, of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS). The MAFS was founded […]
Source: Sondra Doolittle, AAFS Meetings & Expositions Manager After careful consideration, AAFS is pleased to announce an extension for the 2021 Annual Meeting abstract deadline until September 1, 2020. This extension is given in consideration of the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic and the possible impacts caused by shutdowns and closures since March. The extension applies […]
Source: Carla Noziglia, MS, AAFS Retired Fellow We are together in our grief, but also in the memories of a wonderful woman. Professor Carol E. Henderson, visionary, innovator, and force of nature, has died at her home in Florida. Her accomplishments were many and varied, and she will be remembered fondly as a gracious friend. […]
Attendees of the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting in Anaheim, CA, were asked to identify any continuing education needs they would like to see addressed at future meetings. The following topics were suggested: Artificial intelligence and forensics Mental health and wellness across all disciplines Multidisciplinary approach to one or more cases—see the approach, perspective of other […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science has placed two new standards covering the interpretation of DNA evidence on its registry of approved standards. This stamp of approval from OSAC, which is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), indicates that these […]
Source: C. Ken Williams, MS, JD, AAFS Treasurer It gives me great pleasure to officially announce the creation of the AAFS COVID-19 Resource Page! The creativity (and patience) of our wonderful Academy staff was put to the test over the past few weeks as information was gathered for what is hoped to become a valuable […]
Source: Rich Press, Public Affairs Specialist, NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers used black light and glow powder to show how microscopic particles—in this case, from drug powders—can be spread around a forensic chemistry lab when handling evidence. This spread cannot be completely eliminated, but it’s important for labs to manage the […]
Source: Glen Calhoun, IAI Chief Operations Officer Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the International Association for Identification (IAI) Board of Directors has voted to cancel the Orlando Annual IAI Educational Conference scheduled for August 9-14, 2020. This decision is out of an abundance of care, caution, and concern for our members and organization. The […]
The Nominating Committee has announced its list of nominees for 2021–22 officers: Laura C. Fulginiti, PhD President-Elect (Anthropology) C. Ken Williams, MS, JD Vice President (Criminalistics) Christopher R. Thompson, MD Treasurer (Psychiatry & Behavioral Science) Laura L. Liptai, PhD Secretary (Engineering & Applied Sciences) The Nominating Committee is composed of three immediate past presidents—Zeno […]
Source: C. Ken Williams, MS, JD, AAFS Treasurer An email blast was sent to the entire AAFS Membership on 3/31/20 requesting member input on the needs of the nation’s crime labs, Medical Examiner/Coroner offices (ME/C) and medicolegal death investigators as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis as a community. The Coronavirus 3 bill, S.3548 CARES (Coronavirus […]
The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation released a first-of-its-kind book, Unexplained Pediatric Deaths: Investigation, Certification and Family Needs, in collaboration with the National Association of Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Pediatrics. This groundbreaking publication establishes the first-ever national consensus guidelines in the U.S. to fill crucial needs to determine why unexplained […]
Source: Sean D. Tallman, PhD, Diversity Outreach Committee Chair The Diversity Outreach Committee (DOC) is excited to announce the newly selected members of the DOC: Destiny Costley (General Section) Keara Dotson (General Section) Justin Goldstein (Anthropology Section) James Goodrich (Odontology Section) Yong Guan (Digital & Multimedia Sciences Section) Marianne Hamel (Pathology/Biology Section) Sierra Kaszubinski (Criminalistics […]
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has made the following revision to the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. The change implemented below became effective April 15, 2020. Chapter 2.2: Acceptance of Award and Award Conditions and Award Notification and Acceptance Procedures: Revised language to allow electronic signatures on award acceptance documents and Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) forms. The […]
Source: Jeri D. Ropero-Miller, PhD, AAFS President As Academy President, I want to spotlight the AAFS resources that benefit the membership. This first spotlight is a reminder of a tremendous research tool that includes hardback books and free pdf access to 17 years of abstracts (2003-2019) by key word or author on the AAFS website. […]