Forensic Accreditation Board: An Accreditation Program for Forensic Specialty Programs

• NCJ Number: 189029
• Date Published: May 2001
• Author(s): Graham R. Jones

Annotation

This report describes the activities of an effort to develop an accreditation program for forensic specialty programs.

Abstract

The objectives of the program were to develop minimum standards for credentialing boards; to develop a program for certifying credentialing boards; and to establish an accrediting board to be independent of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The original objectives stated in the NIJ grant application have been met. During the period of the grant, the Accreditation and Certification Task Force of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) has met several times to develop proposed accreditation standards and bylaws for an accreditation board. As a result of these efforts and continued dialog with the various forensic specialty credentialing boards, Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) was legally incorporated on June 16, 2000. Having established the FSAB as a legal entity, a way of involving "qualified" forensic credentialing boards in the final development and implementation of an accreditation program had to be devised. The concept of "initial nominating organizations" (INO) was developed. The "INO's" would be forensic credentialing boards with already incorporated minimum components. Applications were solicited from existing forensic credentialing boards that met the requirements of the proposed FSAB bylaws. Nine organizations were elected to have representation on the FSAB. They represent the majority of the recognized boards that offer forensic specialty certification in North America. Implementation of the FSAB accreditation program depends on final development of the operating process and standards interpretation. The FSAB bylaws and standards for accrediting Forensic Specialty Certification Boards are provided.