American Board of Criminalistics History

The ABC program is based in large part on the work done by the Criminalistics Certification Study Com-mittee (CCSC). From 1975 to 1979, there were more than 25 individuals from all regions of the U.S. and Canada who were active in the CCSC. They represented many disciplines, all regional associations, and a diverse array of laboratories. They studied and deliberated over the problems associated with testing and certification, and surveyed the profession on its views. Despite an affirmative vote of almost 50% for their program by the members of professional associations polled, no certification program was implemented by the CCSC.

Building on the CCSC work and philosophy, the California Association of Criminalists (CAC) developed a certification program. The initial stage of the CAC program was the development of an examination designed to assess the overall competence of certification candidates. Those candidates who passed the examination, and who met other requirements, were issued a Certificate of Professional Competency in Criminalistics. Their program recognized that the changing nature of the work required increasing speci-alization, but maintained a strong commitment to a solid foundation in the full range of criminalistics.

The ABC was incorporated in 1989 in response to a need perceived by many criminalists for a national certification program. Since incorporation, more than 40 persons have served on the Board and the Examinations Committee, and almost 200 forensic scientists have served on Peer Groups, and Examinations or Proficiency Committees. These persons have been drawn from a broad cross-section of working criminalists, supervisors, and laboratory directors from government and private laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Each has brought his/her own view of certification to create the program now offered by the ABC.

The first ABC examinations were given in Boston in February of 1993 and the CAC examination was retired. By June 1st, 2004, over 675 persons have been awarded ABC Diplomate status and 23 persons have been awarded Technical Specialist status. The number grows every year with approximately 70 persons per year sitting for the ABC GKE. Over 230 persons have passed their SEs, and approximately 189 scientists have achieved Fellow status.

Each group, CCSC, CAC and ABC, saw basic knowledge of other forensic disciplines, as measured by a General Knowledge Examination, as essential to a certification program.

In 1998, a process of introspection and review of laboratory structures and forensic standards of practice was undertaken by ABC. Based on the outcome of this review, the ABC program of professional certification was extended to include a new category of certification: Technical Specialist. The Technical Specialist certification – first offered in early 2000 – recognizes the changing nature of forensic laboratories throughout the world. It is now not uncommon to find forensic practitioners in laboratories which provide drug analysis and forensic molecular biology services, who do not have interaction with investigators or access to case information. Their organization does not rely on them to manage or direct multidisciplinary casework, nor to interpret findings in light of case histories, investigative details or other laboratory examinations. However, these Technical Specialists, and the field of forensic science, can benefit from their certification.

GKE Examination Philosophy

The General Knowledge Examination (GKE) is the first segment of a comprehensive certification program leading to "Fellow" (for examiners specializing in Drug Analysis, Forensic Biology [including DNA], Fire Debris Analysis, or Trace Evidence) or "Diplomate" (for those not seeking Fellow status, i.e., lab directors and supervisors; or for individuals practicing in disciplines in which Specialty Examinations are not immediately planned, e.g., Explosives, Soil, GSR, etc.).

The ABC Board's goal for the GKE was to develop a process that answers the question, "Does this person have sufficient knowledge to be able to competently manage, direct and perform the work typically encountered by forensic scientists?" With the assistance of professional testing agencies, an examination was developed to answer that question.

Criminalists must examine evidence within the context of an entire case. They are often the only scientists associated with an investigation, and must have sufficient knowledge and experience to make appropriate recommendations to investigators and attorneys.

The purpose of the specialized examinations conducted is to piece together the crime, and a path to the per-petrator(s). Most forensic examiners do not work in isolation. What they do can, and will, impact what "pieces of the puzzle" other examiners can add, or light they can shine on the "path."

The GKE sets a standard for professional knowledge needed to direct, manage and perform the examination of evidence within the context of an entire case. Forensic science does not have a standardized academic curriculum that the profession can rely on to teach the basic criminalistics that every examiner needs. This makes the need for obtaining and measuring that knowledge even more critical for our profession.

This broad knowledge is a solid foundation for examiners to develop specialized understanding and skills. This knowledge foundation facilitates thorough evidence analysis because the examiner is aware of what other tests might be done, their limitations or requirements, and how his/her action or inaction can affect the total forensic investigation. Using this broader knowledge, forensic scientists are better able to maximize evidentiary value and to avoid compromising or contaminating samples.

The ABC program design supports the philosophy that forensic scientists will optimally have this broad understanding of many aspects of forensic science. The program also recognizes that there are Criminalists who work in more specialized laboratories, and who also benefit from professional certification.

Certification Program Structure

With the Diplomate and Fellow programs, the ABC Board of Directors is following a certification approach used by many professions that is based on four concepts.

1. No single examination is a total measure of an individual's ability to do the work. Examinations measure knowledge and reasoning.
2. A general understanding of a field is needed in addition to specializing.
3. Knowledge measured on an examination only reflects the understanding at that point in time. Continuing professional education is needed.
4. Practical exercises (proficiency tests) help measure one's ability to apply the knowledge.

The ABC process leading to "Fellow" has all four components — a measure of general knowledge (GKE), a specialty examination (SE), a proficiency requirement, and a continuing education component. The process leading to "Diplomate" calls for successful completion of the GKE and continuing education. Both awards have a work experience and a Bachelor’s degree (in a natural, or other appropriate science) prerequisite.

With the Technical Specialist program, the ABC is recognizing that – for the good of the field – the significant benefits of professional certification must be made available to the widest variety of forensic practitioners possible. These benefits include:

1. Development of peer-based, objective standards for measuring professional competence;
2. Demonstration of success with practical exercises (proficiency testing);
3. Requirements for on-going professional development; and
4. Connection to a network of like-minded, self-motivated professional forensic science practitioners.

These benefits accrue not only to the certified scientist, but also positively impact the laboratory, its client agencies, and virtually all stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System.