Membership in the Criminalistics Section

Academy Requirements

Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that would support a forensic science career.

Section Requirements

Please refer to the AAFS Criminalistics Section Disciplines document for additional information.

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
2. Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited college or university leading to a degree in one of the natural, physical, or forensic sciences (e.g., Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics) that would be used to support a career in a criminalistics discipline as listed above, and NOTE: Post-graduate individuals do not meet the qualifications for Student Affiliate and should apply for Trainee Affiliate or Associate Member status.
3. Applicants must provide one (1) letter of reference from their department chair, program director, or academic advisor.

Academy Requirements

1. Completed the educational requirements, but not the experience requirements for Associate Member
2. Must be actively working toward completion of the experience requirements through training program/employment that supports a forensic science career 

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
2. Applicants must provide (1) one letter of reference from their supervisor or research advisor.

Academy Requirements

1. Actively engaged in the field of forensic sciences and has made a significant contribution to the cause of advancing forensic science
2. Earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree from a U.S. college/university accredited by one of the regional accrediting bodies
3. Has earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree 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. Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) or higher degree from an accredited college or university in one of the natural, physical, or forensic sciences; and 29Policy and
3. Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of criminalistics during which a substantial portion of the applicant's time is/was devoted to research, practice, or management in a criminalistics discipline as listed above, and has testified as an expert witness, or by position, training, or experience, could be qualified as an expert witness in courts of law as to the results of those examinations, evaluations, and research efforts. It is incumbent on the applicant to address this requirement and to provide a statement in support of how the expert witness requirement has been met. NOTE: Post-doctoral positions with a research focus count toward the experience requirements. Internships do not count toward the experience requirements; or
4. Have a PhD degree from an accredited college or university in one of the natural, physical, or forensic sciences, and a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a fulltime faculty member with the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor in a four-year, accredited educational institution granting baccalaureate or higher degrees in forensic sciences, criminalistics, or a track or specialization in forensic science clearly delineated in the college or university catalog during which the majority of the applicant's teaching and research effort has been in subjects involving forensic science; or
5. Hold a non-tenure track teaching position along with ten (10) or more years of practical experience in a criminalistics discipline; and
6. Two (2) letters of reference. At least one (1) reference must be from a full Member, Fellow, Retired Member, or Retired Fellow of the Criminalistics Section of the AAFS. Both references must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications. Applicants who are unable to secure a letter of reference from a full Member, Fellow, Retired Member, or Retired Fellow of the Criminalistics Section can submit with their application the names and contact information of two (2) additional individuals to recommend the applicant professionally. The additional names will be forwarded to the Criminalistics Section Reference Committee for consideration. The Criminalistics Section Reference Committee will forward their recommendation(s) to the AAFS Membership Department to be included with the applicant's application.

Academy Requirements

1. Attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program
2. Performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities
3. Contributions made to the AAFS or latest advancement as service to forensic science research
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training acquired throughout his/her career

Section Requirements

While serving as an Associate Member, the applicant must:

1. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
2. Serve a minimum of two (2) years as an Associate Member; and
3. Register and attend a minimum of one (1) annual meeting of the AAFS. The meeting at which the title of Associate Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the meeting at which the title of Member is being considered shall not be counted.

References not required.

Academy Requirements 

1. Attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program
2. Performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities
3. Contributions made to the AAFS or latest advancement as service to forensic science research
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training acquired throughout his/her career

Section Requirements

While serving as a Member, the applicant must:

1. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
2. Serve a minimum of two (2) years as a full Member; and
3. Register and attend a minimum of two (2) annual meetings of the AAFS. The meeting at which the title of Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the meeting at which the title of Fellow is being considered shall not be counted; and
4. While serving as an Associate Member or Member, meet one (1) or more of the following requirements on three (3) separate occasions (for a total of three (3) points) within ten (10) consecutive years prior to, but not including the annual meeting at which the title of Fellow is being considered:
   1. Be presenting author of an oral or poster presentation at an annual meeting of the AAFS. One (1) presentation counts as one (1) point. NOTE: This requirement is fulfilled if the applicant's presentation in person is confirmed; or
   2. Prepare and submit a paper that is accepted for publication in the Journal of Forensic Sciences or other peer-reviewed scientific journal. One (1) publication counts as one (1) point. NOTE: This requirement is fulfilled if the applicant's name appears as an author on the paper. Letters to the Editor or Book Reviews will not be considered in fulfilling this requirement; or
   3. Participate as a moderator or panelist at two (2) separate annual meetings of the AAFS. One (1) participation counts as a half point. NOTE: Only one (1) session per annual meeting counts. If applicant participates as a moderator or panelist for more than one session of a meeting, only a half point is earned; or
   4. Participate as a site evaluator/Commissioner for the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) or as faculty of a Forensic Science Educational Conference (FSEC) on two (2) separate occasions. One (1) participation counts as a half point; or
   5. Serve as an active member or chair of either an AAFS or Criminalistics Section committee for two (2) years. One (1) year of service counts as a half point.

References not required.