General Section Nominations

In accordance with the General Section Policy and Procedure Manual, the Nominating Committee published a call for section nominations on the AAFS Newsfeed for the positions of Section Director, Chair, and Secretary. The Nominating Committee consisting of Paul Kish, TL Williams, and William Andrews unanimously nominated: Claire Shepard – Full Term as Section Director Melissa Connor […]


Some “Red Flags” in an Active Shooter

In July, the Forensic Nursing Science Section posted an article by Cliff Akiyama providing information on active shooter incidents. This month we would like to provide an update to that article with “red flags” for this type of scenario. Forensic nurses and those in charge with the direct care of individuals must learn to counter […]


30 Years of Forensic Nurse Influence and Impact on Justice

Sources: Patricia M. Speck, DNSc, and Stacey A. Mitchell, DNP, Forensic Nursing Science Section During National Forensic Nurses Week, (November 6–12), the Forensic Nursing Science Section of the Academy joins with members of other nursing and forensic organizations throughout the world to celebrate the mission, the work, and outstanding accomplishments of forensic nurses. Thousands of […]


Anthropology Section Winter Deadlines

Source: Allysha P. Winburn, PhD, Anthropology Section Chair I would like to remind you about the upcoming winter deadlines for multiple Section nominations/applications. All nomination/application materials may be emailed directly to me (awinburn@uwf.edu). I have included a blurb about each upcoming award, but for detailed nomination, application, and selection requirements, please see the current AAFS […]


Jurisprudence Section Updates

Source: Gil Sapir, JD, Jurisprudence Section Chair There has been a lot of activity within the Jurisprudence Section lately. Below are a few highlights: Judge Roderick T. Kennedy (Ret.) is the legal advisor providing compliance advice concerning the current excessive use-of-force consent decree issued upon the Albuquerque Police Department. M. Christoper Fabricant authored Junk Science […]


Forensic Pathology Resident Training Grant 2023

Source: Jacqueline Parai, MD, MSc, Pathology/Biology Section Chair With support from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), a new advanced training grant offers two College of American Pathologists (CAP) Junior Members (pathology residents), a $5,000 stipend to support a four-week-away rotation in forensic pathology at a Medical examiner/coroner office of their choice. There is […]


Forensic Nursing: Best-Kept Secret

Source: Nancy Booth, RN, MSN It is not uncommon for people to be surprised when I tell them I work in corrections, and they admit they had no idea that inmates would need medical care. Among my colleagues, we joke that correctional nursing is the biggest secret, not only to the public, but to our […]


NIST Scientific Foundation Review on Bitemark Analysis Virtual Webinar

Source: Robin A. Ainsworth, DDS, Odontology Section Chair You are invited to join the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Scientific Foundation Review on Bitemark Analysis Webinar. This virtual event will take place on October 27, 2022. NIST Scientific Foundation reviews and evaluates the scientific basis for forensic methods and practices. This review addresses […]


The General Section Will Do Things a Little Differently at the February Conference …

Source: Brian L. Janysek, MFS, General Section Secretary For those General Section members coming to Orlando, note there will not be a General Section lunch or speaker this year. In recent years, the cost of the luncheon has steadily increased, and participation steadily declined. So instead of continuing that trend, the General Section will do […]


Seeking Nominations for Criminalistics Section Awards

Source: Patrick Buzzini, PhD, Criminalistics Section Awards Committee Chair Happy September everyone! The Criminalistics Section Awards Committee is seeking nominations for The Paul L. Kirk Award and The Mary E. Cowan Outstanding Service Award (see criteria below). Should you wish to propose someone for the committee to consider, please submit a cover letter at patrick.buzzini@shsu.edu […]


Criminalistics Section Seeking Liaisons to ASB Consensus Bodies

Source: Kristy Kadash, PhD, Criminalistics Section Fellow The Criminalistics Section is looking for Members and Fellows (including Retired) who are interested in serving as liaisons to the following AAFS Standards Board (ASB) Consensus Bodies: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, DNA, Firearms/Toolmarks, and Footwear/Tire. The liaisons represent the interests of the Criminalistics Section membership on any of the […]


Anthropology Section Awards Reminder

Source: Allysha P. Winburn, PhD, Anthropology Section Chair This is a reminder for all Anthropology Section members about the upcoming October 1 deadline for multiple Section award nominations/applications. All nomination/application materials may be emailed directly to awinburn@uwf.edu. Below is a brief description about each upcoming award, but for detailed nomination, application, and selection requirements, please […]


Forensic Nursing Science Section News

Source: Joyce P. Williams, DNP, Forensic Nursing Science Section Chair The award nominations deadline is fast-approaching! All nominations must be received by August 31. Nominators must submit the following materials: Award Application Nominee Curriculum Vitae Two letters of support that can attest to the nominee’s contributions (one from an AAFS member in good standing and […]


The Passing of Louis L. Akin, BA

Source: Melissa A. Connor, PhD, General Section Chair We would like to acknowledge the passing of General Section Associate Member Louis L. Akin, BA. Louis’ career spanned more than 40 years, beginning as a private investigator in San Francisco, CA, and leading to his establishment of Akin & Associates, an investigative firm offering fatal incident […]


Remembering Norman “Skip” Sperber, DDS

Source: Robin A. Ainsworth, DDS, Odontology Section Chair It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of AAFS Retired Fellow Norman “Skip” Sperber, DDS. Dr. Sperber served as the Odontology Section Secretary and Chair from 1984-1988, was awarded the Odontology Section Award (later renamed the Lester Luntz Award) in 1990, and the […]


Linton Mohammed Receives ASQDE’s Highest Award

Source: Julie Howe, MBA, ASB Chair We want to share the fantastic news that AAFS Questioned Documents Section Fellow, Academy Standards Board (ASB) Board Member and AAFS Board of Directors (Questioned Documents), Linton Mohammed, PhD, received the American Society of Questioned Document Examiner’s (ASQDE) highest award recently. He was awarded the Albert S. Osborn Award […]


Forensic Nursing Science Section News

Source: Joyce P. Williams, DNP, Forensic Nursing Science Section Chair Awards are an integral part of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). The Forensic Nursing Science Section will offer two award opportunities this year—the Forensic Nursing Scientist Award and the Virginia Lynch Forensic Nurse Innovator Award. We are accepting nominations for these two awards: […]