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| Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board | |
|---|---|
| Name | Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board |
| Formation | 1990 |
| Location | United States |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Purpose | Accreditation of forensic certification programs |
Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board is a nonprofit organization that accredits certification programs for practitioners in forensic science and related disciplines. Founded in the early 1990s, the board evaluates credentialing bodies to ensure that certification processes meet standards of psychometrics, ethics, and competency assessment. Its work intersects with professional societies, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions in the broader forensic community.
The board was established in the context of post-1980s reforms in forensic practice influenced by events such as the DNA profiling revolution, the National Research Council (United States) reports on forensic science, and high-profile cases including the O. J. Simpson murder case that highlighted credentialing and quality assurance issues. Early involvement included collaboration with organizations like the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the National Institute of Justice, and the American Board of Criminalistics. Over time, interactions with entities such as the International Organization for Standardization, the American National Standards Institute, and the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology shaped its methodological framework.
The board's purpose is to provide third-party accreditation of certification programs offered by professional organizations and credentialing boards. It positions itself among counterparts such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American Board of Forensic Toxicology, and the International Association for Identification by focusing on validity, impartiality, and continual improvement. Its scope includes evaluation of governance, examination development, appeals processes, and continuing competency—areas relevant to stakeholders like the FBI Laboratory, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the University of California, Berkeley, and the National Institutes of Health where forensic expertise is applied.
Accreditation criteria draw upon standards and guidance from bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (e.g., ISO/IEC standards), the American National Standards Institute, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The process typically involves an application, documentation review, site visits, psychometric analysis of examinations, and periodic reaccreditation—procedures comparable to those used by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Board of Medical Specialties. Exam validation methods reference work by scholars and institutions such as Educational Testing Service, University of Cambridge, and Stanford University to ensure defensibility in legal contexts including courts influenced by precedents like Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals and Frye v. United States.
The board accredits a range of specialties spanning applied and laboratory domains, often aligning with disciplines represented in organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences sections: forensic toxicology (linked to Society of Forensic Toxicologists), forensic biology (connected to International Society for Forensic Genetics), digital forensics (related to International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists), trace evidence (paralleling Association of Forensic Science Providers), and forensic odontology (associations like the American Dental Association). Other recognized areas reflect practice areas engaged by institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Johns Hopkins University forensic programs.
Governance models mirror nonprofit boards found in organizations like the American Bar Association, with volunteer subject-matter experts drawn from academia, public laboratories, and private sector firms such as those represented by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examiners and university departments at Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University. Advisory committees include psychometrics advisors and ethics panels, comparable to structures at the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society. Funding and oversight relationships involve partnerships with professional societies like the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and interactions with funding organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice.
Proponents cite improved standardization across certification programs and greater judicial confidence, referencing reforms advised by the National Research Council (United States) and implemented in laboratories such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department crime lab. Critics point to concerns raised by commentators associated with Harvard University and investigative reports involving agencies like the New York City Police Department about uneven coverage of specialties, potential conflicts of interest, and the voluntary nature of accreditation. Debates often invoke legal standards from cases like Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael and policy recommendations by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Notable accredited programs have included certification bodies affiliated with major organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association for Identification, and the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners. Case studies often examine the application of accredited certifications in high-profile investigations and prosecutions involving agencies like the FBI Laboratory, state crime labs in California, and university-based research centers at Northwestern University. Evaluations of program outcomes have been discussed in venues including the Journal of Forensic Sciences, conferences of the American Chemical Society, and policy forums hosted by the Brookings Institution.
Category:Forensic science organizations