Membership in the Forensic Anthropology Section

Academy Requirements

Both at the time of application and at the time the application is being considered for approval (the following February), an applicant for Student Affiliate status must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that would support a forensic science career accepted by the section to which application is being made. Each Student Affiliate must certify eligibility annually with the AAFS.

Student Affiliate status may be maintained for two consecutive calendar years beginning at the end of the calendar year within which graduation occurs. During the two year period, once employment in a forensic discipline recognized by a section of the AAFS is attained, Student Affiliates will be required to upgrade their membership to Trainee Affiliate or Associate Member.

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled, and
2. Applicants for the Anthropology Section will be considered in any area of anthropology (e.g., physical anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology) or a related field, with a demonstrated sufficient forensic science emphasis, and
3. Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university leading to a degree in anthropology or a closely related field with a forensic science emphasis, and
4. Submit curriculum vitae listing relevant experience in forensic applications of anthropology (courses taken, volunteer work, etc.), and
5. For students at the undergraduate level, the applicant must provide one (1) letter of reference from his/her department chair, program director, or academic advisor.
6. For students at the master's or doctoral level, the applicant must be sponsored by a Member or Fellow of the 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.

Academy Requirements

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.

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
2. Applicants for the Anthropology Section will be considered in any area of anthropology (e.g., physical anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology) or a related field, with a demonstrated sufficient forensic science emphasis; and
3. Must have completed a master's or doctorate degree in anthropology or a closely related field, with a demonstrated sufficient forensic science emphasis; and
4. Submit curriculum vitae listing relevant experience in forensic applications of anthropology (courses taken, volunteer work, etc.); and
5. Must be sponsored by a Member or Fellow of the 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.
6. Trainee Affiliate status may not be held for more than three (3) years.

Academy Requirements

Academy membership shall be available only to those persons of professional competence, integrity, and good moral character:

1. who are actively engaged in the field of forensics sciences and who have made some significant contribution to the literature of forensic sciences, or
2. who have advanced the cause of forensic science in some other significant manner, and
3. who satisfy the requirements for membership of the section applied to or recommended for, and
4. 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.

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled; and
2. Applicants for the Anthropology Section will be considered in any area of anthropology (e.g., physical anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology) or a related field, with a demonstrated sufficient forensic science emphasis; and 
3. Applicant must have earned a master's or doctorate degree in anthropology or a closely related field with a forensic science emphasis; and
4. Submit a complete curriculum vitae indicative of active engagement, publication, pursuit of a career, or other contribution to the application of anthropology to forensic science; and
5. Demonstrate involvement in current anthropological assessments with a forensic science emphasis by providing:
   1. Copies of two (2) forensic case reports that demonstrate the competent application of scientific methods, techniques, and concepts in the context of the fields of anthropology; or
   2. Copies of two (2) conference presentations in anthropology with a forensic science emphasis authored or co-authored by the applicant (i.e., PowerPoints or poster PDFs); or
   3. Copies of one (1) case report and one (1) conference presentation as described above, or a copy of one (1) paper on anthropology with a forensic science emphasis authored or second authored by the applicant and published in a refereed journal; and
      1. 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 Anthropology Section of the AAFS. References must be well-acquainted with the applicant and must address the candidate's aptitude in and contributions to forensic anthropology.
      2. Above requirements can only be waived by a two-thirds decision of members present at an annual section business meeting. Since the 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.

Academy Requirements

The criteria for promotion are applicable to all members seeking promotion to Member or to Fellow. Applications must be received and completed by October 1 to be considered for approval at the AAFS annual conference.

The criteria for original membership, as stated in the bylaws for the AAFS Basic Requirements, still apply to promotions:

Membership shall be available only to those persons of professional competence, integrity, and good moral character:

1. Who are actively engaged in the field of forensic sciences and who have made some significant contribution to the literature of forensic science, or
2. Who have advanced the cause of forensic science in some other significant manner; and
3. Who satisfy the requirements for membership of the section applied to or recommended for; and
4. 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.

In addition, the following criteria for service to the AAFS and to forensic science in general are used:

1. Service to the AAFS. This includes attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program. Attendance at a minimum of one (1) conference is required for advancement from Associate Member to Member and one additional conference for advancement from Member to Fellow. However, if exigencies such as workload requirements, finances, or ill health preclude such attendance, this will be taken into consideration. It is AAFS policy that members who exhibit at the annual conference must pay the conference registration fee, if the exhibitor wishes to receive continuing education credit or count the conference attendance toward fulfilling a requirement for membership promotion.
2. Service in the general area of forensic sciences. This is intended to recognize the individual who performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities but who, in so doing, is unable to excel in other endeavors.
3. Service in the area of forensic science research. Any contribution which the individual has made since his/her admission to the AAFS, or latest advancement will be given consideration.
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training. Any effort (either by formal or informal curricula) to disseminate the scientific information which the individual has acquired throughout his/her career will be considered.

Section Requirements

1. While serving as an Associate Member, the applicant must:
2. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
3. Register and attend a minimum of two (2) annual conferences of the AAFS. The conference at which the title of Associate Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the conference at which the title of Member is being considered shall not be counted; and
4. Submit for review: a. Copies of two (2) recent (within 5 years) case reports (as defined above); or b. Copies of two (2) first or second authored publications (as defined above); or c. Copies of two (2) pieces of evidence documenting or other contributions to applied anthropology with a forensic science emphasis.

NOTE: Proof of activity from a, b, or c must have occurred since being elected to Associate Member.

References not required.

Academy Requirements 

The criteria for promotion are applicable to all members seeking promotion to Member or to Fellow. Applications must be received and completed by October 1 to be considered for approval at the AAFS annual conference.

The criteria for original membership, as stated in the bylaws for the AAFS Basic Requirements, still apply to promotions:

Membership shall be available only to those persons of professional competence, integrity, and good moral character:

1. Who are actively engaged in the field of forensic sciences and who have made some significant contribution to the literature of forensic science, or
2. Who have advanced the cause of forensic science in some other significant manner; and
3. Who satisfy the requirements for membership of the section applied to or recommended for; and
4. 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.

 In addition, the following criteria for service to the AAFS and to forensic science in general are used:

1. Service to the AAFS. This includes attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program. Attendance at a minimum of one (1) conference is required for advancement from Associate Member to Member and one additional conference for advancement from Member to Fellow. However, if exigencies such as workload requirements, finances, or ill health preclude such attendance, this will be taken into consideration. It is AAFS policy that members who exhibit at the annual conference must pay the conference registration fee, if the exhibitor wishes to receive continuing education credit or count the conference attendance toward fulfilling a requirement for membership promotion.
2. Service in the general area of forensic sciences. This is intended to recognize the individual who performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities but who, in so doing, is unable to excel in other endeavors.
3. Service in the area of forensic science research. Any contribution which the individual has made since his/her admission to the AAFS, or latest advancement will be given consideration.
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training. Any effort (either by formal or informal curricula) to disseminate the scientific information which the individual has acquired throughout his/her career will be considered.

Section Requirements

While serving as a Member, the applicant must:

1. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
2. Register and attend a minimum of three (3) annual conferences of the AAFS. The conference at which the title of Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the conference at which the title of Fellow is being considered shall not be counted; and
3. Submit for review: a. Copies of two (2) recent (within 5 years) case reports; or b. Copies of two (2) first or second authored publications; or c. Copies of two (2) evidences of teaching or other contributions to applied anthropology with a forensic emphasis.

NOTE: Proof of activity from a, b, or c must have occurred since being elected to Member.

References not required.