President’s Spotlight—Around the World and Beyond

Jim Caruso 2026-2027 Presidential Membership Address

It is not lost on me that while I am working on the content of this communication, four astronauts are about to splash down off the coast of San Diego after spending a 10-day mission that included completing a lap around the moon.  

More details about space travel later, but first it is time for a 2026 Academy meeting recap and year in review.

Thank you, Joanna

First of all, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not offer my personal congratulations to Immediate Past President Joanna Collins. Joanna and I have known each other for over 20 years. She was a Forensic Specialist for the Air Force, and as an Armed Forces Medical Examiner I completed autopsies for her investigations. We were even stationed in Japan together. I could not have had a better predecessor and role model than Joanna. She had a tremendously successful year as Academy President, and I can only aspire to follow suit. The bar was set extremely high!

AAFS 2026, New Orleans

Speaking of successful, I hope many of you were able to join us in New Orleans for what turned out to be one of the best Academy meetings we have ever had. 

There were over 3100 attendees from 43 countries. The offerings included 528 oral presentations, 545 poster presentations, 28 workshops (with 1278 attendees), 5 luncheons, 5 case breaks, 3 deep dives, 6 presentations at The Last Word Society, and two special sessions. I made the rounds to each section's business meeting to introduce myself and met with all of the vendors. The feedback on the meeting was overwhelmingly positive.

It is quite a challenge to hold a large meeting in New Orleans in the middle of Mardi Gras and of course there were a few speed bumps. I know a few attendees had to abandon their ride and manage the last few blocks to the hotel on foot due to the parade routes. I hope the frustration was somewhat dampened by enjoying the parades and music that were within a few steps from the host hotels.

I offer my personal thanks and congratulations to Joanna, all of the Section Officers, our Academy Board of Directors, the Program Committee, and of course to the wonderful Academy Staff for a job well done. Program Chair Claire Shepherd and Co-Chair Kathy Pinneri deserve special mention as do the staff primarily tasked with coordinating the meeting, Christine Montoya and Ashley Fullam. Herding cats is a difficult occupation, but they make it look easy! 

All of the Academy Staff truthfully earned a standing ovation for their efforts, and I am impressed every day by the efforts and dedication of Executive Director Donna Grogan, her trusty second-in-command, Assistant Director Kimberly Wrasse, on behalf of our membership. 

Joanna's theme for the meeting, Back to the Basics: The fundamentals of Forensic Science, was spot on! Technological advances in our field seem to be moving ahead by leaps and bounds. In a group as diverse as our Academy membership, no one can keep up with the latest developments in all of the forensic disciplines.

However, our field is first and foremost about the people, both the forensic professionals and those who benefit from our efforts. And while many of us think we can compartmentalize the work from our personal lives, deep down we know that is not true. Joanna made us all pause and remember to take care of ourselves and each other.

2026-2027 AAFS Theme

It is time for me to circle back to the space travel theme I mentioned previously.  I am humbled by the confidence you have all placed in me to lead the Academy during the upcoming year. I have huge shoes to fill, and I promise not to let you down. Thank you to all of my mentors, colleagues, and fellow forensic scientists for this opportunity.

As a young child (think single digits for age), I watched NASA, through the Apollo Program, successfully land humans on the moon. Space travel has continued through the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station program, and lately even efforts in the private sector.

One particular career highlight for me is the role I played in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Colombia mishap back in 2003. With the new goals for space exploration embracing astronauts traveling farther, staying in space longer, and possibly even colonizing the moon and perhaps even Mars, issues that are in the domain of the Forensic Sciences are bound to come up. I assure you that NASA has considered this and so has private industry. There already have been experiments conducted on evidence collection and storage, body bags that will withstand space travel, and other forensic-related challenges.

Protocols are being developed to manage the "what ifs……."   

AAFS 2027, Orlando

Our Academy will meet in Orlando February 15-20, 2027, just up the road from Cape Canaveral. I thought it most appropriate that we have a theme that recognizes the fact that there are issues in the Forensic Sciences that are beyond the boundaries of earth. I can think of applications for all sections of the Academy. 

The plan is to have some NASA involvement in the Plenary Session and to tailor the Deep Dive sessions to forensic issues and space travel.

And what about "Around the World"?

Those of you who know me understand my appreciation for international collaboration and fellowship in Forensic Sciences. A group of Academy members will be traveling to Sofia, Bulgaria next month to attend the International Association of Forensic Sciences.  We all learn from one another and the Forensic Sciences have no boundaries.

In this time of uncertainty between many nations of the world, we need to recognize that collegiality among professionals from all over the world makes for better science. The first part of the theme for Orlando is a shout out to all of the members of the Academy who reside beyond the borders of the United States.

I appreciate you, the Academy appreciates you, and together our Academy is stronger!

I will finish with one very big ask of all of you. Please join me in Orlando next February. The opening of the portal for workshops and presentations is not far off. Let us learn, enjoy each other's company, and have some fun!     

REMINDERS AND DEADLINES

Please remember to recognize excellence and dedication when you see it.  The following are deadlines for the Academy-wide Awards:

• Gradwohl Medallion – June 1
• Distinguished Fellow Award – June 1
• Ambassador of Forensic Science Award – August 1