Source: Kenneth E. Melson, JD, CFSO Liaison On September 9, 2019, AAFS member Matthew Gamette had the honor of testifying on behalf of the Academy before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee concerning advancements in forensic science since the 2009 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, […]
Source: Susan M. Ballou, MS, 2018-19 President During my undergraduate studies, one of my professors queried the class with the question: Would you allow ten suspected murderers to be released to ensure an innocent person wouldn’t remain in prison? Due to the passage of time, I cannot emphatically state the question is correctly phrased, but […]
It is with great fondness and reverence that we remember AAFS Founding Member and Past President, colleague and friend, Dr. Kurt M. Dubowski, who passed away Monday, October 23, in Oklahoma City at the age of 95. Dr. Dubowski was designated as an R.B.H. Gradwohl Laureate in 2011, the most prestigious honor of the American Academy […]
Source: Karolyn L. Tontarski, MS, Section Chair On July 14-15, 2016, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will be holding a workshop on developing personnel selection tools for forensic scientists. This workshop will be held at the Keck Center of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at 500 Fifth Street, NW, Room 100, […]
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 […]
The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) encourages universities providing forensic science degrees to develop and implement pattern evidence degree programs. FEPAC believes that a paradigm shift in the education and training of pattern evidence disciplines such as latent print analysis, firearms and tool marks analysis, handwriting analysis, and impressions analysis is needed. The […]
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 […]
On November 10, 2015, AAFS Criminalistics Section Chair John Lentini was honored by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) as its 2015 “Person of the Year.” This prestigious award was based on the following nomination, submitted to SFPE by Dr. Craig Beyler: John Lentini has been a motivating force in the reform of the […]
Objectivity, Cognitive Bias, and Multimedia Forensics Source: Jeff M. Smith, MS Cognitive bias is the brain’s influence on the decision-making process leading to error. This fascinating field of research looks at how people react in specific situations and gives names to their deviations in judgment, perceptual distortions, and illogical interpretations. “Contrast effect,” “clustering illusion,” and […]
The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) encourages universities with FEPAC-accredited Master’s degree programs and the requisite faculty and research infrastructure to establish PhD degree programs in forensic science. FEPAC believes there is a need for more scientists with PhD degrees in forensic science to effectively advance the field of forensic science. Such individuals […]
Source: John J. Lentini, BA, Section Chair The theme of this year’s Academy meeting, Transformation: Embracing Change, could not be more appropriate or timely. Today’s forensic scientists are living in interesting times. The profession is changing rapidly, and those who do not embrace change are destined to be run over by it. It has been […]
Editors: Brianna B. Bermudez, BS, and Jacob Griffin, BS A Letter from the YFSF President The Young Forensic Scientists Forum (YFSF) is hard at work planning for the AAFS 68th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, NV! The Academy’s August 1 abstract deadline is steadily approaching and the YFSF has important abstract deadlines in December. […]
As I look back at the past few months, there have been an unusual number of issues in forensic science which have garnered media attention including a series of articles on bitemark evidence, a study of FBI hair analysis cases disclosing a high proportion of errors, changes in the leadership of the Washington, DC, Department […]
Recapping the First Public OSAC Meetings: What is an SDO? Source: Reprinted from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): http://www.nist.gov/forensics/what-is-an-sdo.cfm. Feb. 16, Orlando, Fla. – Midway through the first day of a meeting devoted to public discussion of forensic science standards priorities, someone asked the question that was probably on many audience members’ minds. […]
Source: John J. Lentini, BA, Section Chair Despite the fact that temperatures in Orlando dropped into the low 30s during the week, a successful meeting was had, especially for those members who consider 34 to be “warm.” Karolyn Tontarski and Vincent Desiderio put together an outstanding scientific program, which included 123 oral presentations, 76 posters, […]
Source: Thomas W. Vastrick, BS, Section Chair What a wonderful time to be involved in the profession of forensic science, not just in the practice of our profession but in the opportunities that have arisen to be an integral part of setting the course for our profession and our discipline for many decades to come. […]
Source: Steven Clark, PhD, Section Program Chair The theme of this year’s Academy meeting, Celebrating the Forensic Science Family, is an opportunity to recognize the efforts “family” members have made to the disciplines represented by the various sections in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences as well as the collaborative contributions members have made to […]
Source: Stephanie Domitrovich, JD, PhD, Section Secretary Section Program Chair Donald Shelton and Co-Chair Lauri Traub are proud to announce that the Jurisprudence Section received eighty-three (83) abstract proposals for presentations for the 67th Annual Scientific Meeting, February 16-21, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel in Orlando, FL. Donald and Lauri found the abstract […]