Professional Affiliate

​​​​​​​No – A person applying under the Professional Affiliate status is required to meet minimum qualifications and maintain a supporting role to forensic science (see minimum qualifications below).

1. Yes – There are minimum qualification for the Professional Affiliate status (see below).
2. From the AAFS Bylaws: Academy affiliation in the classifications prescribed in Section 2b shall be available only to those persons of professional competence, integrity, and good moral character who are pursuing a career that has as its purpose the attainment of the same requirements as for membership, but who do not meet qualifications for Associate Member status in one of the twelve sections.
3. From the AAFS PPM: AAFS Basic Requirements for Professional Affiliate is a class of membership that:
   1. Shall be available to those persons of professional competence, integrity and good moral character who are actively engaged in a supportive role in the field of forensic science; or are in pursuit of such a role.
   2. Shall be available to individuals who have or are currently enrolled in an associate degree, technical trade school, certificate or higher academic degree programs. Training history must reflect a focus in forensic science. Experience of one year or more in a supporting role in forensic science may be substituted for training. Supporting forensic science and legal disciplines include but are not limited to paralegals, autopsy technicians, dental hygienists, evidence technicians, sworn law enforcement, and quality assurance personnel. AAFS involvement, either meeting attendance, presentation (oral or poster), or workshop participation can be included as part of the criteria. This status is limited to those who do not currently satisfy the requirements for Associate Member, Trainee Affiliate, or Student Affiliate status in the Academy.
   3. Shall not be eligible to vote at business meeting or hold AAFS offices.
   4. Must renew their professional affiliate status every three years by submitting evidence that they are still employed in a forensic science support discipline, or enrolled in an educational program as described.

1. From the AAFS Bylaws: The Professional Affiliate must certify eligibility every three years.
2. The responsibility is on the Professional Affiliate to re-certify their status, when necessary. Professional Affiliates will be contacted by AAFS for re-certification in August of each year to determine if their professional status has changed or if they meet the qualifications for upgrade to membership. Professional Affiliates are only required to complete the re-certification form in the year ending their three-year term. If a Professional Affiliate does not re-certify their status, their status will be terminated.

1. The individual will no longer be allowed to hold affiliate status as a Professional Affiliate and would either be required to undergo the process for Associate Member, Trainee Affiliate, or Student Affiliate or would no longer be considered a Professional Affiliate of AAFS.
2. Professional Affiliate status terminates when the Professional Affiliate becomes eligible for a different status or employment changes to a non-supportive role to forensic science.
3. From the AAFS Bylaws: A Professional Affiliate becomes ineligible to retain their status by meeting the criteria for Associate Member or by changing employment to a non-supporting forensic science position. If the Professional Affiliate meets the criteria to apply for Associate Member status, their affiliate status will lapse at the end of that calendar year. If the Professional Affiliate changes their employment to a non-supporting forensic science position, their affiliate status lapses upon the change in employment.

1. No – Current AAFS members who meet the qualifications for membership (see Bylaws Section 1) cannot change their status to Professional Affiliate.
2. Current AAFS members who no longer meet the qualifications for membership and still maintain a role supporting forensic science may consider changing their status to Professional Affiliate through the application process.

1. A committee ("the Professional Affiliate Committee") consisting of a chair and co-chair will be responsible for reviewing applications submitted under the status of Professional Affiliate. The committee will work with subject matter experts, the Executive Committee, and/or the Board of Directors for assistance in reviewing qualifications and associations with various fields of forensic science. Final approval for affiliate status will be granted by the Board of Directors.
2. From the AAFS Bylaws: Applicants for professional affiliation shall be considered first by a Board-appointed committee consisting of a chair, co-chair, and subject matter experts in the applicant's discipline, and finally by the Board of Directors.
3. From the AAFS PPM:
   1. Professional Affiliate Committee members shall review the application materials for compliance with AAFS Professional Affiliate requirements. All requirements shall be applied consistently to all applicants.
   2. If an applicant for Professional Affiliate appears to be eligible for Student Affiliate, Trainee Affiliate or Associate Member status, the application must be reviewed by the appropriate section officers for the higher status first.

Professional Affiliates are not associated with, or tied to, any section. The Professional Affiliate status is a standalone affiliate category. Professional Affiliates may attend various section activities and business meetings but will not be eligible to hold office or vote.

1. No – Professional Affiliates, like all affiliate statuses, are non-voting members.
2. From the AAFS PPM, Section 2.1: "Professional Affiliate: Cannot vote at AAFS or section business meetings."

1. Yes – From the AAFS Bylaws: The Professional Affiliate must certify eligibility every three years. A Professional Affiliate becomes ineligible to retain their status by meeting the criteria for Associate Member or by changing employment to a non-supporting forensic science position. If the Professional Affiliate meets the criteria to apply for Associate Member status, their affiliate status will lapse at the end of that calendar year. If the Professional Affiliate changes their employment to a non-supporting forensic science position, their affiliate status lapses upon the change in employment.
2. Professional Affiliates are responsible for notifying the AAFS promptly when their employment or professional status changes. Failure to do so may result in loss of Professional Affiliate status.

​​​​​​​Yes – Professional Affiliates pay the basic dues rate and are afforded the basic member/affiliate meeting registration fee. Professional Affiliates will have access to Academy Connect and other resources provided to AAFS members. Professional Affiliates will have the option to pay an extra fee for access to the Journal of Forensic Sciences (JFS).

​​​​​No – Professional Affiliates are not permitted to serve on committees.

​​​​​Applications are reviewed by the Professional Affiliate Committee and subject matter experts in the Fall of each year. If recommended for approval, the recommendation will go before the Board of Directors at the AAFS Annual Meeting each February for final approval. A list of those approved by the Board of Directors will be posted on the first Monday of the Annual Meeting in the registration area. If not in attendance, applicants will be notified via official AAFS mail along with the annual dues notice.

​​​​​​​Professional Affiliates pay the basic member/affiliate meeting registration fee.