| 1975 - 1979 |
The Criminalistics Certification Study Committee worked under the auspices of an NIJ grant to develop a certification program. A survey of the criminalistics community in 1980 indicated that only 38% of the profession endorsed the program draft. The survey also indicated that 69% would apply for certification, if it was offered. Based on these results, the certification effort was abandoned. |
| July 1989 |
Walter McCrone hosted a meeting of a number of representatives from the CCSC. Ten of the original organizations were represented by the 16 persons at the meeting. The California Association of Criminalists which had recently completed development of a Professional Competency Examination in Forensic Science was represented. A representative of an Ad Hoc Committee on fire debris analysis certification, formed by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Criminalistics Section was present. |
| December 1989 |
ABC incorporated in NY with July meeting attendees as charter members. Five forensic organizations — California Association of Criminalists (CAC), Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS), Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS), Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS), and Southern Association of Forensic Scientists (SAFS) — became charter member organizations. |
| September 1991 |
Liaison with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) established. |
| February 1992 |
AAFS Criminalistics Section votes to join ABC. |
| April 1992 |
Liaison with the UK Forensic Science Service (FSS) established. |
| February 1993 |
First General Knowledge Examination (GKE) offered at the Boston AAFS Meeting. |
| July 1993 |
First Diplomate certificates awarded and re-certification professional development program established. |
| September 1993 |
ASCLD resolution that "encourages the effort that is being made by ABC . . ." |
| February 1994 |
First Specialty Examinations (SEs) offered — Fire Debris, Forensic Biology, and Drug Analysis— at the San Antonio AAFS Meeting. GKE evaluated by UK Forensic Science Service. Proficiency Testing Program Implemented. |
| June 1994 |
Publication of First Issue of Semi-Annual Newsletter. |
| December 1994 |
Recertification Program Implemented. |
| February 1995 |
First Trace Evidence SEs offered—at the Seattle AAFS meeting. ABC selected as one of four qualified organizations to nominate candidates for the DNA Advisory Board. |
| February 1996 |
Liaison with the Forensic Toxicology Certification Board (FTCB) established. |
| August 1996 |
ASTM Committee E-30 on Forensic Science Joins ABC |
| January 1997 |
Affiliate Status Offered |
| August 1997 |
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) Joins ABC |
| January 2000 |
Inauguration of Technical Specialist Certification Programs for Drug Analysis and Molecular Biology |
| November 2001 |
First Technical Specialist Examinations offered in Drug Analysis and Molecular Biology. |
| Summer of 2002 |
Ed Rhodes Award established to provide one person from each member organization a free ABC examination each year. |
| March 2004 |
American Board of Criminalistics is first Certification Body Accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board. |
| Summer of 2004 |
Policy and Procedure Manual copyrighted and ABC logo designated a service mark. |
| July 2005 |
ABC develops a policy of Dormancy of Certificate for those individuals in the military, on maternity leave or caring for a family member. |
| January 2006 |
Biochemistry Specialty Examination was sunset. Biochemistry Fellows certificates will still be supported as long as proficiency testing is available. |
| February 2006 |
ABC commits to developing the Forensic Science Aptitude Test for students graduating from FEPAC Universities. |
| February 2006 |
ABC begins process to update and standardize format of all examinations. |
| February 2007 |
Pilot examinations in all specialties given in San Antonio at the AAFS Meeting. |
| Spring of 2007 |
Pilot Forensic Science Aptitude Tests given to 147 students from eight FEPAC schools. |
| August 2007 |
Additional pilot trace examinations given at the Trace Symposium in Clearwater Florida. |
| November 2007 |
All former Fellows and Technical Specialists notified if they lost their certificate due to a lack of proficiency testing they can apply to be reinstated as Diplomates in their specialties. |
| December 2007 |
General Knowledge Examination and Technical Specialist Examinations are given for the last time. |
| January 2008 |
All ABC examinations are now 220 multiple-choice questions with 200 being scored and 20 piloted. All examinations are three hours long and are 40% comprehensive and 60% specialty questions. |
| July 2008 |
All Technical Specialist certificates are converted to Fellow certificates in Drug Analysis or Molecular Biology. |
