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American Academy of Forensic SciencesYoung Forensic Scientists Forum


Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - July 2000

YFSF Completes AAFS Time Capsule Project
By Patricia Manzolillo, MSFS

One of the many projects the YFSF completed during the past year was the AAFS Time Capsule Project. After being approached in Orlando by Kenneth Field, the YFSF gladly accepted this project as a way to help the AAFS celebrate the Millennium and commemorate their past, present, and future history. 

The purpose of the AAFS Time Capsule Project was three-fold.: 1) to preserve the history of significant individuals and accomplishments in forensic science, 2) to document the state of forensic science at the turn of the century, and 3) to chronicle what we expect the future to hold for the next generation of forensic scientists. The capsule was sealed at the YFSF Annual Breakfast Meeting in Reno and is now stored at the AAFS headquarters in Colorado Springs. The capsule will be opened in 2048 at the 100th Year Celebration of the AAFS. Following is a letter that the YFSF included in the Time Capsule to explain what the items represent as well as the purpose behind the Time Capsule. 



February 14, 2000
To Whom It May Concern:
Re: AAFS Time Capsule Project

The Young Forensic Scientists Forum developed this Time Capsule at the request of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. We decided the best approach was to include items that showcased three areas. These included the history of forensic science and the AAFS, the current state of the different forensic disciplines and technology, and our thoughts for the future of forensic science. Below is a list of some of the items we included.

History:
– Images of past significant AAFS events
– CD-ROM (current storage technology) of the same images
– Information on famous trials where forensic science 
played a significant role (Lindbergh, OJ, Shepard, Leopold 
and Loeb)
– A History of the AAFS
– A research project on inks from 1948 by Ordway Hilton 
donated by the American Society of Questioned 
Document Examiners (notes samples, etc…)
– An AAFS bibliography of the publications in forensic 
science in 1965
– Set of serology textbooks considered seminal works 
donated by Dr. R. Gaensslen
– The first tool of the forensic scientist - a magnifying glass 
– A set of inked fingerprints

Current:
– Photos of a new forensic laboratory and instrumentation
– CD-ROM(s) with same images
– Some product literature and samples of current evidence 
collection technology
– An article on the role of biometrics today and in the future
– Two works of recent fiction to show the role forensic 
science played in society
- A brochure for malpractice insurance for forensic scientists
– A program from the 2000 AAFS meeting in Reno, NV
– A set of Live Scan Fingerprints (digitized images)
– Some items of pop culture

Future:
– Some thoughts by the YFSF on the future of forensic science

Some of us hope to be present when this capsule is opened in 2048. If not we hope you enjoy these relics of the past and predictions for the future. 

Sincerely,
The Young Forensic Scientists Forum of the AAFS


The YFSF would like to thank all of those individuals who donated items as well as their time and thoughts. We hope that the Time Capsule will provide the AAFS of 2048 with a unique window into the state of forensic science and the minds of forensic scientists in 2000. 

 

Copyright © 1999 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences