The People Behind the Program: Members Who Help Advance Forensic Science

The AAFS Annual Conference program represents months of planning, but behind every scientific session and educational opportunity are members willing to share their knowledge, expertise and experience with their colleagues.

Our members are the people behind the program.

Each year, AAFS members contribute to the Annual Conference in countless ways. They present research, lead scientific sessions, teach workshops, moderate discussions and share their expertise through educational programming. Their contributions help create an environment where members of the forensic science community can learn from one another and explore new ideas.

Education That Moves the Field Forward

Scientific advancement depends on the ability to share knowledge.

Through scientific sessions and educational programming, the AAFS Annual Conference provides opportunities for attendees to learn about new research, explore emerging techniques and perspectives, and hear directly from experts across the forensic science disciplines.

For presenters and instructors, these sessions are an opportunity to share what they have learned through research and experience. For attendees, they are an opportunity to take that knowledge back to their laboratories, classrooms, organizations and communities.

But the value of a session doesn't necessarily end when the presentation does.

Where Education Leads to Connection

Some of the most valuable conference moments happen through the conversations that follow.

A question after a presentation can lead to a new idea. A conversation with another professional can introduce a different perspective. Meeting a colleague from another discipline can lead to collaboration. A student connecting with an experienced professional can open the door to mentorship or a future career opportunity.

These connections are an important part of advancing forensic science.

The Annual Conference brings together professionals with different experiences, areas of expertise and perspectives, creating opportunities to learn not only from presentations, but also from one another.

Celebrating the People Behind the Program

During National Forensic Science Week, AAFS is recognizing the members who make these educational opportunities possible.

They are the AAFS members who serve on program committees, reviewing and selecting more than 900 scientific sessions.

They are the session chairs and moderators who help guide meaningful conversations and bring different perspectives together.

They are the presenters sharing their latest research, findings, and expertise with colleagues across the forensic sciences.

They are the instructors teaching new concepts, techniques, and approaches that attendees can take back to their laboratories, classrooms, and organizations.

They are the members who volunteer their time, knowledge, and expertise to build an educational experience that connects our community and helps advance forensic science.

Together, they help create a conference program that is more than a schedule of sessions. It is a place where knowledge is shared, ideas are exchanged and connections are made.

This National Forensic Science Week, we celebrate The People Behind the Program and the members who help move forensic science forward through education, knowledge-sharing and connection.