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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - January 2001 The Future of Certification and Accreditation in Forensic Science -- Part 2 of 2 |
| Part 2 of 2 Part 1 of this two-part series took a look at the purpose of organizations responsible for establishing the standards in the field of forensics. Part 2 takes a look at the impact such organizations have on you as young forensic scientist. As young forensic scientists, we have to be aware of the fact that change is all around us. Not only is it found on the ground, but in our futures as well. In order to accept the changes that draw nearer each and every day, it is sometimes necessary to take a step backwards. All throughout school, we were reminded of the importance of the three Rs: Reading, Writing, and (A)rithmetic. Keeping those Rs in mind facilitated completion of a very crucial part of your life. Where you go from there is determined by your ability to accept the evolved three Rs: Rules, Regulationsm and (C)riteria. It may not be easily admitted, and apologies go out to the hopeless romantics, but the three R's are what now seem to "make the world go 'round!" The Young Forensic Scientist Forum even has criteria that must be met before becoming a part of the organization. The Forum is open to students who are actively pursuing a degree in a related field of Forensic Science and those in the field with five years or less of experience. That about sums it up. The Forum's criteria are not stringent, but this, fortunately, is not the case for the field chosen by the readers. The field of forensics, due to the constant changes in technology, is forced to keep abreast of the criteria du jour. The criteria is established by boards such as the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) and they, in turn, have a tremendous impact on your future as young Forensic Scientists as well as the future of forensics. Laboratory accreditation is gained only through compliance with the standards and criteria established by the ASCLD Laboratory Accreditation Board. Part of a laboratory’s quality assurance program, accreditation includes proficiency testing, continuing education, and other programs that aid in the provision of better service. Proficiency testing is one of the many ways used to monitor performance. It is not designed to scare, but merely a means of identifying areas where improvement is necessary. Each laboratory must have a documented program of testing, but should be careful to emphasize the educational aspects of the program while avoiding a punitive approach when taking corrective actions. Proficiency testing is an annual occurrence and should be done in each of the examiner's sections in which casework is performed. Techniques utilized in the field are constantly updated. In order to provide a better service to the community, examiners must be informed of such improvements. ASCLD monitors even the simplest of means in which this information can be disseminated. Channels of communication should exist within the laboratory as well as staff meetings conducted on a regular basis. Training and development of employees is also an important issue. Proper training and development enables the employee to assume greater responsibility while improving accuracy and increasing productivity. Of importance to the young forensic scientist, the laboratory should have a documented program for the training of new hires or the untrained in each section. After training is received, a formalized development program should be in place to help the employee assume more responsible duties. This is furthered by the utilization of a system designed to encourage the review of new literature, making an adequately stocked forensic library crucial. The laboratory should provide an atmosphere that encourages employees to improve their knowledge and skills, to grow as individuals, and to fully develop their potential. A development program should be in place addressing the various opportunities available to employees. These opportunities include the following: • professional organizations and their meetings, • staff development seminars provided by governmental agencies, • technical training courses, • in-house technical meetings, courses, and seminars, • laboratory sponsored seminars and conferences, and/or • college level courses. The program should clearly state how employees can participate and should identify the procedure to be followed when applying for such training. Once into a laboratory system, ASCLD helps to ensure that a suitable environment is provided conducive to learning. However, in order to become a part of that environment, an amount of learning must be gained prior to employment. Degree requirements are placed dependent upon the section or sections employed. For example, an examiner in a section such as Controlled Substances, Serology, or Trace Evidence, a degree in a natural science, criminalistics, or a closely related field is required. For Firearms/Toolmarks, Questioned Documents, or Latent Prints, a baccalaureate degree with science courses gets you into the door. This may be a little premature for YFSF readers at the moment, but ASCLD does not stop with the analyst. A laboratory director must have a degree in a natural science, criminalistics, or a closely related field, at least five years of forensic science experience, and formal training in management. So there you have it. As soon as your five-year period of YFSF comes to an end, you should be ready to make that transition into the director's spot. ASCLD helps to ensure professionalism and competence on a laboratory level, but in order to be included you must first get hired. This is where the ABC (American Board of Criminalistics) comes in handy. The ABC is not a job placement agency, but its Certification in Professional Competency in Criminalistics program certainly helps. The ABC, with the hopes that individuals graduating from forensic science or related programs and a desire to pursue a career in forensics will take, offers a GKE (General Knowledge Examination). Successful completion of this exam demonstrates the individual's knowledge of the overall field of forensics and earns the status of Affiliate. This shows a commitment to your chosen field that may in turn have you viewed as an asset in any lab. However, it should be realized that Affiliates are not certified. Considered "working toward certification," the Affiliate qualifies for an upgrade to Diplomate status only after the two-year full-time work in the field of Criminalistics criteria is met. An Affiliate is not considered certified, but it does provide an additional qualification that may be considered by a future employer. It also comes with an attached label of "certification eligible." Early entry into the ABC program is gained through the Affiliate status. ABC Diplomates and Fellows must have two years of full-time work experience and be actively working in the field of Criminalistics. The Affiliate category has made it easier to enter the program, but it has not affected the examination. The ABC has observed a trend of unsuccessful completion with individuals possessing limited work experience. Individuals having five or greater years of experience have an understandable edge and a much greater passing rate. This is not mentioned to deter, but merely to advise. It is advised that interested young forensic scientists obtain and take advantage of the available study guide. There is a $30.00 application submission fee for each exam. The cost to sit for the GKE is $150.00, while the Technical Specialist Exam (which has not been mentioned) is $200.00. An application package or additional information may be obtained after contacting the ABC Registrar: Michael Haas, BS PO Box 1123 Wausau, WI 54402-1123 Phone: (715) 845-3684 E-mail: abcreg@dwave.net Now that a few of the changes are realized, how exactly will they be handled? The changes will not present a hindrance, but conversely, a benefit. The implementation of the Affiliate category provides an opportunity for that extra boost to the resume, which is what may be needed in order to get that foot in the door. That same boost that gets you into the laboratory system can also be used in court to provide a boost to your qualifications. Even ASCLD with its many standards and criteria provides a useful monitoring system. It is not currently required for all laboratories to become ASCLD-certified, but it is quickly spreading throughout the forensic community. Change is coming. The thing for the young forensic scientist to do is to embrace it and to not be discouraged. Many labs are currently undergoing ASCLD compliance. This creates a confusing time within the laboratory. Just remember to stay on your P and Qs, remember your three Rs, and, just as it got you through grade school, remember your ABCs! |
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© 2001 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |