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Application Process

New Members, Upgrades and Reinstatements

The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists, Inc. (NEAFS) is a professional organization for people employed within the forensic sciences. Our goals are:
 

 

  • To exchange ideas and information within the field of forensic science and to foster friendship and cooperation among the various laboratory personnel.
     

  • To encourage a high level of competency among professionals in the field of forensic science.
     

  • To promote recognition of forensic science as an important component of the criminal justice system.
     

  • To stimulate increased implementation of existing techniques, along with research and development of new techniques within the field, and to encourage financial support for these efforts.

 

This application must be submitted for new memberships as well as membership upgrades and membership reinstatements.

 

For more information on membership classifications, see next page of this application. All applicants and members must follow the By-Laws and Code of Ethics. The application materials and fees must reach the membership chairperson by the publication deadline of the third Newsletter so that all applicants’ names included in that Newsletter are voted upon at the annual meeting by the membership. The deadline date for the third Newsletter is on or about September 1st.

 

New members:

To be considered for the membership, the applicant must complete this application and have a sponsor complete the Sponsors Referral Form. This application must be accompanied with a fee of $65.00. The fee consists of a nonrefundable $5.00 application fee and a $60.00 membership fee. Once we receive the application, Sponsor’s Referral, and the fee prior to September 1st, you become an active applicant and are entitled to attend the association’s annual meeting at the member’s rate.

 

Membership Upgrades:

To be considered for a membership upgrade, the applicant must complete this application. Fees and sponsor form are not applicable for upgrades.

 

Membership Reinstatements:

To be considered for a reinstatement of membership, the applicant must complete this application. This application must be accompanied with a fee of $65.00. The fee consists of a non-refundable $5.00 application fee and a $60.00 dollar membership fee. In addition, if reinstatement is requested for a lapse in dues, an additional fee of $60.00 is incurred for a total of $125.00. Once we receive the application and the fee(s) prior to September 1st, you become an active applicant and are entitled to attend the association’s annual meeting at the member’s rate.

Membership classifications (NEAFS by-laws Article VI):

 

General qualifications: Applicants for membership shall be expected to have previously demonstrated moral and ethical conduct befitting the profession. Any application may be rejected by the Membership Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors for the same reasons as termination of membership. (Article VI, Section 9).

 

Regular Member (also referred to as “Member”)

A Regular member of the corporation (NEAFS) is one who has met the minimum established standards, has been approved by the Membership Committee, and is elected by a vote of ¾ of the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. A member shall be entitled to receive all publications, to vote at business meetings, and to hold office.

 

Qualifications for Regular Membership Shall Be:

  1. Hold a Doctorate, or Masters Degree, and have completed a minimum of two (2) years experience or

  2. Hold a Baccalaureate degree and have completed a minimum of three (3) years experience or

  3. Have completed a minimum of ten (10) years experience and be active in the field or

  4. Have, in the opinion of the Membership Committee, made such significant contributions to the field and or the Corporation to warrant Regular Membership.

 

Experience, for purposes of Article VI, Section 2.a., is considered only in the field of forensic science.

  1. Working a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week doing examinations and interpretation of physical evidence or

  2. Working a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week having done examinations and interpretation of physical evidence or

  3. Working as a full-time professor in forensic science or criminalistics in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university.

 

Associate Member

Any person who does not meet the requirement for Regular membership may apply as an Associate Member. Such member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of Members except that they shall be ineligible to vote or hold office.

 

Life Member

Life members shall retain all rights and privileges of Members, but shall be excused from all dues and assessments. Life Membership shall be conferred by recommendation from the Board of Directors, with approval of ¾ of the voting membership at the annual business meeting.

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