AAFS Now Accepting Applications for the Fall 2026 Membership Cycle

Fall Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

Apply for membership now during the Fall 2026 membership cycle. Forensic science professionals, researchers, educators, students, and those in supporting forensic roles are encouraged to apply before the October 1, 2026, deadline.

Unlike the Spring cycle, which is limited to new applicants, the Fall cycle is open to new members as well as current members seeking a promotion or upgrade in status, making it the ideal time both to join the Academy and to take the next step within it.

AAFS membership is more than an organizational affiliation. It is a professional commitment toward advancing forensic science with integrity and rigor. Members join a distinguished network of more than 6,500 professionals across 71 countries, organized within 12 specialized forensic science sections.

Explore Our 12 Sections

Nearly every AAFS member enters the Academy through one of its 12 discipline-focused sections, spanning the full breadth of the forensic sciences: Anthropology, Criminalistics, Digital & Multimedia Sciences, Engineering & Applied Sciences, Forensic Nursing Science, General, Jurisprudence, Odontology, Pathology/Biology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Questioned Documents, and Toxicology. Choosing a section is the first step in the application process, and applicants are encouraged to select the discipline that most closely reflects their current training, research, or professional focus. Section leadership and staff, including Membership Coordinator Cheryl Hunter, are available to help applicants who are unsure which section fits them best.

What Membership Offers

Among the most valued benefits of AAFS membership is complimentary digital access to the Journal of Forensic Sciences, the Academy's internationally recognized, peer-reviewed publication and a $481 annual value available to members at every status level. Members also receive significantly discounted registration to the AAFS Annual Scientific Conference, the largest forensic science gathering in the world, where thousands of practitioners and researchers convene each year for presentations, workshops, and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Financial support is another major draw. Through the Forensic Sciences Foundation and AAFS programs, members can compete for more than $170,000 in annual grants, scholarships, and awards, many of which are reserved exclusively for Academy members.

Additional benefits include free and discounted access to AAFS-hosted webinars and educational resources, structured mentorship programs, opportunities to serve on section and Academy-wide committees, continuing education credit, job postings and expert witness referral opportunities, and one month of complimentary counseling through BetterHelp. A full list of benefits is available on the AAFS Membership Benefits page.

Four Pathways Into Membership

AAFS offers several status levels designed to meet applicants wherever they are in their career, from students just discovering the field to established practitioners with years of casework behind them.

Student Affiliate status offers the lowest barrier to entry of any AAFS membership category. It is designed for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a program that supports a forensic science career, giving them access to the same global network, conference opportunities, and career resources available to established professionals well before graduation. Student Affiliate status can be maintained for two years following graduation, creating a seamless path into Trainee Affiliate or Associate Member status as a career develops. Full details are available on the Student Affiliate Membership page.

Trainee Affiliate status is the natural next step for those who have completed their education but are still building the hands-on experience required for Associate Member status. It is intended for individuals actively working toward that experience through a training program or qualifying employment in a forensic science discipline, and it keeps early-career professionals connected to the Academy's network, conference, and resources while they complete that training. Eligibility must be certified annually, and, depending on the section, Trainee Affiliate status can typically be held for up to three or four years. Section-specific requirements are outlined on the Membership Requirements page.

Associate Member status is designed for professionals who are actively engaged in forensic science and have met the relevant education and experience requirements for their section, typically a baccalaureate degree or higher combined with hands-on experience or research contributions in their discipline. It is the status most working forensic scientists hold, and it carries full access to AAFS's professional network, conference programming, publications, and funding opportunities. Requirements vary by section and are detailed on the Membership Requirements page.

Professional Affiliate status was created for individuals whose work supports forensic science but who may not fit within a traditional section, such as paralegals, autopsy technicians, dental hygienists, evidence technicians, sworn law enforcement personnel, and quality assurance specialists. This standalone affiliate category allows these professionals to formally connect with the forensic science community, attend section activities, and access Academy resources. Complete eligibility details are available on the Professional Affiliate page.

Together, these four pathways give AAFS a membership structure suited to nearly every stage of a forensic science career, from the classroom to the courtroom.

How to Apply

Applicants should first review the full requirements for their chosen section and membership status, as eligibility criteria vary by discipline. The Fall 2026 submission period runs from July 1 through October 1, with a review period through January 31 and Board of Directors decisions expected by February 9, 2026. Approved applicants will be notified immediately and receive a dues invoice ahead of the April 1 billing cycle.

To apply, prospective members should create or sign in to an account at accounts.aafs.org, complete the online application through the Membership Application Portal, and submit all required supporting materials, which may include a curriculum vitae and letters of reference, along with the $75 non-refundable application fee.

Full application details are available at aafs.org/membership-become-member/application-information.

Questions about the application process or which section and status best fit a given background can be directed to Membership Coordinator Cheryl Hunter at chunter@aafs.org or 719-453-1033.