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COVID19 Response
Updated 12/12/2020 (Bolded text)
Recertification Points Adjustment: The ABC is granting all certificants 10 points for the 2020 recertification year due to the impact of COVID-19 may have had on certificants’ ability to obtain points through training and other forensic skill building activities. These 10 points will default to Section II if no further action is taken and if you have not yet met your required points for your current certification cycle. If you prefer to allocate some of these points elsewhere, you will have an opportunity to do that when you submit your recertification paperwork in early 2021. You may move any or all 10 points to Section I. You may move a maximum of 5 points to Specialty. If you have more than one specialty, you may still only move a maximum of 5 points to be split among your Specialty Sections. In order to change the allocation of points, you must submit the Recertification Declaration Form (09-0612F) and identify how you choose to allocate your points regardless of whether or not you are submitting other recertification points.
The ABC will continue monitoring the current situation regarding COVID19. We are aware of the hardships that the current situation will create for our certificants. We will continue to work with candidates and certificants to ensure that they are not penalized as a result of shutdowns, work-stoppages, meeting cancellations, etc. As the situation progresses, the Board will be making decisions on how to proceed with regards to recertification deadlines and application extensions.
If you anticipate sitting for an examination or field test, we encourage you to read our Exam Sitting Guidelines. The ABC will strive to offer certification and field testing examinations in a manner that complies with the most currently accepted healthy and safety practices.
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Who We Are
The ABC is composed of regional and national organizations which represent forensic scientists. Each organization is entitled to one member on the ABC Board of Directors and one member on the ABC Examination Committee. The representatives from these organizations can answer any questions about the ABC, certification examinations, and related issues. |
Certification
Certification is a voluntary process of peer review by which a practitioner is recognized as having attained the professional qualifications necessary to practice in one or more disciplines of criminalistics. The ABC offers a certifications in molecular biology, drug chemistry, fire debris analysis, hairs and fibers, paints and polymers, and comprehensive criminalistics. |
Our Purpose
The Forensic Science community has an obligation to:
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ABC Accreditation
The ABC was the first Certification body Accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board.
The ABC was the first Certification body Accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board.
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Sponsors
We are grateful for our sponsors! The presence of ABC sponsors does not necessarily constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the American Board of Criminalistics. |
The ABC is a non-profit corporation, incorporated in the state of New York. The ABC is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt corporation.
The ABC logo has been registered as a service mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Use of the ABC logo without the expressed written consent of the ABC Board of Directors is prohibited.
The ABC logo has been registered as a service mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Use of the ABC logo without the expressed written consent of the ABC Board of Directors is prohibited.