Membership in the Jurisprudence Section

Academy Requirements

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

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled; and
2. Applicant must be enrolled in a law school program leading to a law degree or in an approved "Law Reading" program leading to qualification for taking the Bar examination.

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. Have less than two (2) years of experience; and
3. Applicant must have been awarded a law degree or otherwise be qualified to take the Bar examination or have a license in good standing to practice law, and be fulfilling the experience requirement for Associate Membership in the Jurisprudence Section.

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 received a law degree at least two (2) years prior to the date of application for Associate Member; or
3. Have had a license in good standing to practice law for at least two (2) years immediately prior to application for Associate Member; or
4. Have received a law degree at least one (1) year prior to the date of application for Associate Member and have participated in a minimum of one (1) program of the Academy prior to becoming an Associate Member. Participation may include the presentation of papers, acting as a moderator or panelist of a program, or serving as an active member of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section; or
5. Have a license in good standing to practice law at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date of application for Associate Member and have participated in a minimum of one (1) program of the Academy prior to becoming an Associate Member. Participation may include the presentation of papers, acting as a moderator or panelist of a program, or serving as an active member of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section; or
6. Have received a law degree or a license in good standing to practice law during the year immediately prior to the meeting at which Associate Member is considered and have participated in a minimum of one (1) program of the Academy as a Student Affiliate; or
7. Have completed such other academic and professional achievements, both in law and in forensic science, in a foreign country over a period of not less than six (6) years deemed to be substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Academy by the section chair and secretary at the time of the application; and
8. Two (2) letters of reference. References are not required to be members of the AAFS, but must be able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant's qualifications.

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. Have a license in good standing to practice law, or have full-time status as a professor on the law faculty of any university; and
3. Obtain one (1) recommendation from a Member or Fellow of the AAFS, and
4. Register and attend a minimum of two (2) annual meetings 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; and
5. Participate in one (1) program of the AAFS at an annual meeting by presentation of papers, acting as a panelist of a program, or serving as a moderator, or serving as an active member or chair of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section.
6. Attend one (1) Jurisprudence Section Business Meeting since becoming an Associate Member and prior to application to be promoted to Member.

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. Have a license in good standing to practice law, or have full-time status as a professor on the law faculty of any university; and
3. Obtain two (2) recommendations by Fellows of the Jurisprudence Section of the AAFS; and
4. Register and attend a minimum of one (1) meeting of the AAFS. Neither the meeting at which the applicant becomes a Member nor the meeting at which promotion to Fellow is being considered shall be counted in fulfilling the requirement; and
5. Participate in one (1) program of the AAFS at an annual meeting by presentation of papers, acting as a panelist of a program, or serving as an active member or chair of a committee of the Jurisprudence Section.
6. Attend one (1) Jurisprudence Section Business Meeting since becoming a Member and prior to application to be promoted to Fellow.