Call for Abstracts and Session Moderators

The 79th American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Scientific Conference will be held February 15-20, 2027, in Orlando, FL.

AAFS President Jim Curuso has chosen the theme "Around the World and Beyond," recognizing the fact that "there are issues in the forensic sciences that are beyond the boundaries of earth." We are looking forward to our section featuring high-quality workshops, podium presentations, and posters. Students and members are encouraged to apply with a focus on the three core pillars upon which Forensic Nursing care is built: legal principals, forensic science, and nursing science related to trauma and health outcomes.

A collaborative session with the Jurisprudence Section is planned, with a focus on the impact the collaboration of Forensic Nursing and the importance of Jurisprudence to hold perpetrators to the law. Contributions on applicable and enticing topics are encouraged. We see a natural and compelling alignment between Jurisprudence and Forensic Nursing Science. A coordinated session could highlight the intersection of science, clinical practice, and legal frameworks in a way that is both timely and highly relevant to attendees. Some areas of particular interest to Jurisprudence include (but are not limited to):

• Expert testimony best practices/topics
• Scientific evidence interpretation in court
• Legal challenges with emerging technologies (e.g., electronic health record audits/revision history)
• Issues relevant for civil cases (e.g., medical malpractice, patient safety/quality, neglect)

Key Information and Deadlines
Abstract Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026
Presentation Types: Workshops, Oral Presentations, Poster Presentations
How to Submit: https://www.aafs.org/annual-conference/abstract-submission 

Call for Session Moderators
We are also seeking session moderators to help facilitate our scientific sessions on Thursday, February 18, and Friday, February 19, 2027. Moderators will serve during a 4-hour block, and there are opportunities for both moderators and co-moderators. Serving in this role may also be used to meet promotion criteria for the Forensic Nursing Science Section.

Suggestions for presentations were submitted by our members that they are interested in seeing offered. They are as follows:

Forensic Nursing

• Clinical forensic examinations and documentation (e.g., SANE/SART practices)
• Trauma-informed care in forensic settings
• Strangulation assessment and documentation
• Intimate partner violence and elder abuse investigations
• Human trafficking identification and response
• Death investigation collaboration with forensic nurses
• Evidence collection, preservation, and courtroom testimony
• Forensic nursing roles in disaster and mass casualty response
• Interdisciplinary collaboration between forensic nurses, law enforcement, and legal professionals
• Case-based applications of forensic nursing in criminal investigations

Abstracts are now open. The abstract submission deadline is August 1, 2026. Contact FNSS Program Chair Michelle Patch at mpatch1@jhmi.edu or Co-Chair Max Veltman at maximilianveltman@boisestate.edu with questions.

We look forward to your abstract submissions and seeing you in Orlando.

​