MEMBERSHIP
Membership
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a multi-disciplinary professional
organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application
to the legal system. The objectives of the Academy are to promote integrity,
competency, education, foster research, improve practice, and encourage collaboration
in the forensic sciences.
For sixty years, the AAFS has served a distinguished and diverse membership.
Its 6,000 members are divided into eleven sections spanning the forensic enterprise.
Included among the Academy’s members are physicians, attorneys, dentists, toxicologists,
physical anthropologists, document examiners, psychiatrists, engineers, physicists,
chemists, criminalists, educators, and others. Representing all 50 United States,
Canada, and 60 other countries worldwide, they actively practice forensic science
and, in many cases, teach and conduct research in the field as well. Each section
provides opportunities for professional development, personal contacts, awards,
and recognition. Many sections publish periodic newsletters and mailings which
keep their members abreast of activities and developments in their fields.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a multi-disciplinary professional
organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application
to the legal system.
The objectives of the Academy are to promote integrity, competency, education,
foster research, improve practice, and encourage collaboration in the forensic
sciences. It does so via the Journal of Forensic Sciences (its internationally
recognized scientific journal), newsletters, its website, its annual scientific
meeting, the conduct of seminars and meetings, and the initiation of actions
and reactions to various issues of concern. For its members and affiliates,
AAFS provides placement services as well as scientific reference studies. As
the world’s most prestigious forensic science organization, the AAFS represents
its membership to the public and serves as the focal point for public information
concerning the forensic science profession. Founded in 1948, the AAFS is headquartered
in Colorado Springs, CO.
Overview of the Application Process
Following you will find a description of the eligibility requirements and submission instructions in detail. You must meet the AAFS and Section Requirements for the status for which you are applying; a waiver is only possible if it is so noted in the requirements. Please read the Application Instructions & Requirements, Application, and Reference Form carefully to avoid a delay in the processing and review. Upon receipt of your application, AAFS will send a postcard verifying the section and status for which you are applying and confirming your new Applicant status. Applications are reviewed periodically by the Membership Department between the months of July and October. If your application if found to be incomplete at the time of review, you will be notified via email or mail. If
your application is found to be complete, it will be forwarded to the Section
Officers for their review. Once the committee members have completed their
review, you will be notified of the outcome. If your application is being “recommended”
for approval by the committee, official approval will take place by the AAFS
Board of Directors at the AAFS Annual Meeting in February. Your status remains
Applicant until you are notified of the Board approval in March. This notification
will include an official letter from the AAFS President and a dues notice.
Your membership is activated upon receipt of your dues payment. Applications
are only approved once a year at the February AAFS Annual Meeting. Your completed
application, including reference forms and any additional section requirements,
must be received and completed by October 1 in order to be acted upon at the
AAFS Annual Meeting the following February. The deadline for receipt and completion
is firm. It is recommended that applications are completed by July 1st. An
early submission will give AAFS an opportunity to review your application,
contact you with any deficiencies or questions, and forward your completed
application to the appropriate Section Officers for their review well in advance
of the deadline. The required $25 USD application fee must accompany the application
form. The application fee is a one time fee; the fee is waived when an application
to upgrade is submitted. Please be advised that you will be subject to annual
dues if your application is approved in February. If approved, you will receive
an invoice for $145 (except Student Affiliates whose dues will be $55) along
with your notification of approval.
References
Refer to individual section requirements for detailed instructions. If
references are not mentioned, they are not required. It is the applicant's
responsibility to distribute the form to the recommenders who must return them
directly to the AAFS by the October 1 deadline.
Requirements
Your application must provide all of the information
required by the AAFS and by the section to which you
are applying. CAREFULLY REVIEW THE AAFS AND THE INDIVIDUAL
SECTION REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW BY SECTION.
Categories
There are three entry level categories within the AAFS:
- Associate Member
- Trainee Affiliate
- Student Affiliate
ASSOCIATE MEMBER: The entry level at which most applicants
enter the AAFS (with the exception of Trainee Affiliate and Student Affiliate).
Advancement to Member and then to Fellow is accomplished by meeting additional
criteria established by each section. Membership is available only to those
persons of professional competence, integrity, and good moral character:
- Who are actively engaged in the field of forensic sciences and who have
made some significant contribution to the literature of forensic science, or
- Who have advanced the cause of the forensic science in some other significant
manner, and
- Who satisfy the requirements for membership of the section applied to or
recommended for, and
- Who have earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education, or from a non-U.S. college or university bearing equivalent accreditation.
TRAINEE AFFILIATE: Trainee Affiliate status is limited to persons who have
completed the educational requirements, but not the experience requirements
for Associate Member in the section to which application is being made. Both
at the time of application and at the time the application is being considered
for approval, applicants for Trainee Affiliate status must be actively working
toward completion of the experience requirements by participating in a training
program or employment that supports a forensic science career accepted by
the section. Each Trainee Affiliate must certify eligibility annually.
STUDENT AFFILIATE: Both at the time of application and
at the time the application is being considered for approval, an applicant
for Student Affiliate status must be enrolled fulltime in an undergraduate
or graduate program that would support a forensic science career accepted
by the section to which application is being made. The applicant must meet
these requirements at the time of application and at the time the application
is being considered for approval the following February. Each Student Affiliate
must certify eligibility annually.
Your application must provide all of the information
required by the AAFS and by the section you are applying. Carefully review
both the AAFSand Section Requirements. Refer to the individual section requirements
for detailed instructions. If references are not mentioned, they
are not required. It is the responsibility of the applicant to distribute
the form to the recommenders who must return them directly to the AAFS by
the October 1 deadline.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited college or university leading
to a degree that would be used to support a career in a criminalistics
discipline, and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her academic
advisor.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her supervisor.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate (or equivalent) or master’s
degree from an accredited college or university in one of the natural sciences
(or forensic science or criminalistics), and
- Have a minimum of two (2) years experience in the field of criminalistics
during which a substantial portion of the applicant's time is/was devoted to
either the examination and evaluation of physical evidence or the training
and/or research of forensic applications to physical evidence, and has testified
as an expert witness, or by position, training, or experience, could be qualified
as an expert witness in courts of law as to the results of those examinations and evaluations. An internship does not count toward the experience requirements, or
- A PhD degree from an accredited college or university in one of the natural
sciences (or forensic science or criminalistics, or a recognized derivative
of the natural sciences, such as bio-chemistry) and a minimum of three
(3) years experience as a full-time faculty member with the rank of Assistant
Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, in a four-year, accredited
educational institution granting baccalaureate or higher degrees in forensic
science, criminalistics, or a track or specialization in forensic science
clearly delineated in the college or university catalog during which the
majority of the applicant's teaching effort has been in subjects involving
forensic science, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be full Members, Fellows,
Retired Members, or Retired Fellows of the Criminalistics Section of the
AAFS and must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
- Applicants must submit a letter from the applicant’s university/college
registrar’s office verifying full time attendance (as defined by the institution); and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her academic
advisor indicating that the applicant is enrolled in a program relevant
to the forensic sciences.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her academic
advisor or immediate supervisor indicating that the applicant is working
in a program relevant to the section’s area of interest.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree and have five (5)
years experience in one of the forensic sciences within the scope of coverage
acceptable to the Section, or a master’s degree and four (4) years of similar
experience, or a doctorate degree and three (3) years of similar experience.
(Note: Past experience is counted if: (a) related to current forensic discipline
field, and (b) was not required to obtain educational degree.); and
- Demonstrate current involvement in the forensic discipline for which
applying; and
- Two (2) letters of reference. One (1) reference must be from a full
Member, Fellow, Retired Member, or Retired Fellow of the Digital & Multimedia
Sciences Section. The second letter may be from an AAFS member, or an acceptable
reference from someone active in the forensic sciences. References must
be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant’s qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.
B. Trainee Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must provide proof of a baccalaureate or graduate degree from
an accredited four-year college or university in engineering or an engineering
related science, and
- Be actively engaged in the application of forensic engineering science
for a minimum of four (4) years, or a master’s degree and three (3) years
of similar experience, or an earned doctoral degree can be substituted
and two (2) years of similar experience, and
- Provide the highest relevant degree, graduate or undergraduate, along
with photocopies of certificates, diplomas, degrees and licensures, which
must accompany the application, and
- Provide proof of active participation in the field of forensic engineering
science over the past four (4) years, such as client references, court
appearances including court case numbers, engineering research or projects
related to forensic engineering, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. At least one (1) reference shall be from
either a full Member or Fellow of the AAFS. References must be able to comment
knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
General
Areas of interest within the General Section include:
- Forensic Laboratory Investigation
- Forensic Field Investigation
- Forensic Clinical Work
- Forensic Communication
- Forensic Education
- Forensic Administration
- Forensic Research
Click here to view the disciplines accepted by the General Section.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must submit a letter from the applicant's university/college
registrar's office verifying full time attendance (as defined by the institution), and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/heracademic
advisor indicating that the applicant is enrolled in a program relevant
to the forensic sciences.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her academic
advisor or immediate supervisor indicating that the applicant is working
in a program relevant to the forensic sciences.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree and have five (5)
years experience in one of the forensic sciences within the scope of coverage
acceptable to the section, or a master's degree and four (4) years of similar
experience, or a doctorate degree and three (3) years of similar experience.
(Note: Past experience is counted if: (a) related to current forensic discipline
field, and (b) was not required to obtain educational degree.), and
- Demonstrate current involvement in the forensic discipline for which
applying, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. One (1) reference must be from a full
Member, Fellow or Retired Fellow of the General Section. The second reference
may be from a General Section member, AAFS member, or an acceptable reference
from someone active in the forensic sciences. References must be able to
comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must be enrolled in a law school program leading to a law degree
or in an approved “Law Reading” program leading to qualification for taking
the Bar examination.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have been awarded a law degree or otherwise be qualified
to take the Bar examination or have a license in good standing to practice
law, and be fulfilling the experience requirement for Associate Membership
in the Jurisprudence Section.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have received a law degree at least two (2) years prior to
the date of application for Associate Member, or
- Have had a license in good standing to practice law for at least two (2) years
immediately prior to application for Associate Member, or
- Have received a law degree at least one (1) year prior to the date of application
for Associate Member and have participated in a minimum of one (1) program of
the Academy prior to becoming an Associate Member. Participation may include
the presentation of papers, acting as a moderator or panelist of a program, or
serving as an active member of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section, or
- Have a license in good standing to practice law at least one (1) year immediately
prior to the date of application for Associate Member and have participated in
a minimum of one (1) program of the Academy prior to becoming an Associate Member.
Participation may include the presentation of papers, acting as a moderator or
panelist of a program, or serving as an active member of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section, or
- Have received a law degree or a license in good standing to practice law during
the year immediately prior to the meeting at which Associate Member is considered
and have participated in a minimum of one (1) program of the Academy as a Student
Affiliate, or
- Have completed such other academic and professional achievements, both in
law and in forensic science, in a foreign country over a period of not less than
six (6) years deemed to be substantially equivalent to the requirements of the
Academy by the section chair and secretary at the time of the application, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References are not required to be members of
the AAFS, but must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- One (1) year or less experience in forensic odontology.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a dental degree (DDS or DMD, or equivalent), and
- Applicant must provide proof to the credentialing committee of the Odontology
Section a minimum of ten (10) points for attendance at a course or courses
in forensic odontology covering all of the topics listed below with one (1)
point awarded for each half-day of training:
a) Human identification via dental evidence (hands-on training required);
b) Mass disaster identification techniques and protocols (hands-on training
required);
c) Bite mark analysis (hands-on training required);
d) Related general forensic topics including civil litigation;
e) Other points - defined to include attendance at the AAFS annual meeting
scientific sessions (one (1) point per year) with a maximum of two (2) points; and
- Be actively associated with an agency engaged in forensic odontology; and
- Have one (1) year or more experience in forensic odontology; and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be either full Members or
Fellows of the Odontology Section of the AAFS and must be able to comment
knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.
Recognized courses must be open to the dental community at large and the
same course taken more than once will not be recognized unless content is
significantly different.
The elevation process of recognized courses will be conducted by the Entry
Level Educational Committee minimally every two (2) years.
All earned points are valid for a period of seven (7) years.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
NOTE: Applicants who have or are planning a career in a biological science
with a non-doctorate degree level, as well as those applicants who have or
are planning a career in a biological science (DNA, serology, etc.), please
apply to the Criminalistics Section.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Must be either a full time medical student or a student enrolled in a
graduate program in Life Sciences.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Must plan to pursue a career in medicine, forensic pathology, forensic
entomology, or forensic botany.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a medical degree (MD, DO, DVM, or International
Equivalent that would permit medical licensure in the United States or Canada),
or a PhD in Life Sciences and have been actively engaged in his/her field
of interest for at least one year, and
- Be actively engaged in the field of forensic science, including: pathology,
forensic pathology, forensic medicine, veterinary pathology, or other biological
science at the time of application, and
- Have made a significant contribution to the literature of forensic sciences,
or have been pursuing a course of study as a resident in pathology or the
disciplines described in paragraph 3, or have advanced the cause of forensic
science in some other significant manner, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be full Members or Fellows
of the AAFS and must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's
qualifications.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program leading to a degree
in physical anthropology, forensic anthropology, or human biology with a
forensic anthropology emphasis, and
- Submit resume listing experience in field (courses taken, volunteer work,
etc.). Include a short explanation stating why the applicant wants to become
a Student Affiliate of the section, and
- Must be sponsored by a Member or Fellow of the Physical Anthropology Section
who is well-acquainted with the candidate and provides a written recommendation
that addresses the student’s interest, aptitude and potential in the field
of forensic anthropology.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
- Must have completed a master’s or doctorate degree in physical anthropology,
forensic anthropology, or human biology with a forensic anthropology emphasis, and
- Must be sponsored by a Member or Fellow of the Physical Anthropology Section
who is well-acquainted with the candidate and provides a written recommendation
that addresses the candidate’s progress toward fulfilling the requirements
for Associate Member, and
- Trainee Affiliate status may not be held for more than 3 years.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a master’s or doctorate degree in physical
anthropology, forensic anthropology, or human biology with a forensic science
emphasis, and
- Submit a complete curriculum vitae indicative of active engagement, publication,
pursuit of a career or other contribution to forensic anthropology, and
- Demonstrate involvement in ongoing forensic anthropology in one of the
following ways:
a. Provide copies of two (2) forensic case reports, or
b. Provide copies of two (2) research papers on forensic anthropology authored
by the applicant and presented at scientific meetings, or
c. Provide a copy of one (1) paper on forensic anthropology published in a
refereed journal, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be from either two (2) section
Fellows or one (1) section Fellow and one (1) full Member from the Physical Anthropology Section of the AAFS. Referees must be well acquainted with the applicant and must address the candidate’s aptitude in and contributions to forensic anthropology.
- Above requirements can only be waived by two-thirds decision of members present at an annual section business meeting. Since the AAFS Board of Directors approval occurs before the section business meetings, those seeking a waiver of requirements will be delayed approval of the application for one year.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
Psychiatry & Behavioral Science
NOTE: Please contact Cheryl Hunter at
the AAFS office for requirements for applicants outside the U.S.
A. Student Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Psychiatrists must hold an MD or DO degree, and have completed an ACGME
approved residency in psychiatry, and must devote the majority of his/her
medical practice in the specialty of psychiatry.
- Clinical Psychologists must meet the following requirements:
a. PhD or PsyD degree in clinical, neuro-, forensic, counseling or school psychology
from a program approved by the American Psychological Association, and completion
of an internship approved by the American Psychological Association, or
b. PhD or PsyD degree in clinical, neuro-, forensic, counseling or school psychology
from a program approved by one of the six regional accrediting institutions
of U.S. Department of Education, and licensure to practice psychology in one
state, and successful passing of the Examination for the Professional Practice
of Psychology (EPPP).
- Research Psychologists must have a PhD in any other area of psychology
not covered above, approved by one of the six regional accrediting institutions
of the U.S. Department of Education, and have evidence of multiple publications
in the peer reviewed literature of direct relevance to forensic behavioral
science.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
Questioned Documents
A. Student Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.
B. Trainee Affiliate
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled.
- In addition to the annual eligibility certification, a Trainee Affiliate may not continue in this status for more than four years before either applying for Associate Member or reapplying for Trainee Affiliate status. Justification for reapplication will be contingent upon acceptance by the section Executive Committee.,
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Must have earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree from an accredited
college or university, and
- Have successfully completed and documented formalized training in the field
of questioned document examination for at least two (2) years duration from
a recognized questioned document laboratory or under the direct supervision
of document examiners who are Members or Fellows of the Academy or of the ASQDE
or who are Diplomates of the ABFDE (the section recognizes ASTM E2388 as a basic guide for fundamental training in the field), and
- Be actively engaged or employed full time in the examination of questioned
documents for at least two (2) years, independent of any program of training,
and for that period must be personally responsible for conducting and reporting
such examinations without technical supervision, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be full Members or Fellows of the
Questioned Documents Section of the AAFS and must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered for applicants residing outside of the United States and Canada, in which cases, one or both references may be from persons other than Members or Fellows of the Academy. These references will be evaluated and will be accepted if approved
by a majority vote of the members present at an annual business meeting of the
section. Since the AAFS Board of Directors approval occurs before the section business
meetings, those seeking a waiver of requirements will be delayed approval of
the application for one (1) year.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
A. Student Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.
B. Trainee Affiliate
AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled.
C. Associate Member
- AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled, and
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree in one of the natural sciences from an accredited institution, and sixteen (16) semester credit hours in chemistry, and
- Provide transcripts of chemistry credits, graduate and undergraduate. International applicants will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if their transcripts do not document the required 16 hours of chemistry as hours or credits and may be subject to additional requirements, and
- Be actively engaged in forensic toxicology for at least one (1) year immediately prior to application, and
a. Have made a significant contribution to the literature of forensic toxicology, or
b. Have been pursuing a course of study for at least one (1) year for an advanced degree applicable to the educational needs of a forensic toxicologist, or
c. Have advanced the cause of forensic toxicology by laboratory service or in some other significant manner, and
- Two (2) letters of reference. References must be Members or Fellows of the Toxicology Section of the AAFS and must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered for applicants residing outside of the United States and Canada, in which case, two references from non-members must be submitted and may be otherwise evaluated or accepted if approved by a majority vote of the members present at an annual business meeting of the section. If exception is made, those seeking a waiver of requirements will be delayed approval of the application for one (1) year, and Associate Members applying for promotion to Member will be required to provide two (2) references from Members or Fellows of the Toxicology Section.
Go to Application
Download Reference Form HERE.
Are you interested in joining AAFS? If so:
Apply Online
OR
Download AAFS Application Form in PDF Format HERE.
Download AAFS Reference Form in PDF Format HERE,
OR
contact the AAFS Membership Department at 1-800-701-AAFS, Fax: (719) 636-1993,
or e-mail: membship@aafs.org.
APPLICANT'S original signature is required on THE Membership
Application and must be mailed to: AAFS Membership Department 410
North 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Applications are not accepted by FAX; however, Reference forms
may be faxed.
For information on applying for promotion within the AAFS, click HERE.
To download the Journal of Forensic Sciences subscription
form, click HERE.
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AAFS MISSION The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a multi-disciplinary professional organization that provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. The objectives of the Academy are to promote integrity, competency, education, foster research, improve practice, and encourage collaboration in the forensic sciences. SUBSCRIBE TO THE JOURNAL This is a secured section of the website and provides access to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, as well as the online directory of members and affiliates. Click here to log in.
Affiliations & Connections
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