Membership Information
The NWAFS celebrated its 25th Anniversary during 1997. The Association has 268 members representing forensic laboratories in the public and private sector of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Illinois, New York, and Utah. In Canada, we have members from the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
Membership to the Association is by application only. There are three (3) classes of membership in the NWAFS:
REGULAR MEMBER
(1) An individual shall be eligible for Regular membership provided:
(a) the individual is involved in the application of the natural sciences to the examination of physical evidence relating to criminal activity; or
(b) the individual manages or supervises others engaged in the application of the natural sciences to the examination of physical evidence relating to criminal activity; or
(c) upon review, the Membership committee determines the scope of work performed by the applicant to fall within the spirit of the meaning of Regular member.
(2) A Regular member may vote on business put before the Association at a Business meeting or on business to be voted on by mail.
(3) A Regular member may hold office in the Association.
(4) A Regular member may serve on any standing or ad hoc Association committee.
(5) The Membership Secretary shall record the meeting attendance of each Regular member.
(a) Attendance shall be defined as the paid registration for a meeting, paid registration for an Association sponsored workshop; or participation of the Regular member as an instructor for a workshop.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
(1) An applicant not meeting the requirements for Regular member in Section 2.B.1 shall be eligible for Associate membership.
(2) An Associate member shall not vote on business put before the Association at a Business meeting or on business presented by mail for vote.
(3) An Associate member shall not hold office in the Association.
(4) An Associate member may serve on any standing or ad hoc Association committee.
(5) The Membership Secretary shall record the meeting attendance of each Associate member.
(a) Attendance shall be defined as the paid registration for a meeting, paid registration for an Association sponsored workshop; or participation of the Regular member as an instructor for a workshop.
LIFE MEMBER
Life membership may be bestowed upon a Regular member in good standing upon nomination by three (3) Regular members in writing to the Membership Secretary, the recommendation of the Membership committee, and a simple majority vote of the Regular and Active Life members present at the Fall Business meeting. The criteria for evaluating the candidate's qualifications to be bestowed Life membership may include, but are not limited to: a) Charter membership; or b) service as a past officer of the Association; or c) on-going, active participation on the working committees of the Association; and d) continued service to the Association. (2) An Active Life member shall remain a voting member and may hold any office in the Association until such time as the Life member leaves the profession. (3) Upon leaving the profession, the Active Life member shall become an Inactive Life member and shall: a) lose the right to vote on Association business. b) lose the right to hold an elected office in the Association. c) receive the Association's newsletter at no cost. d) be exempt from paying yearly membership dues. e) be exempt from paying semi-annual meeting registration fees. This exemption shall only apply to actual meeting registration fees. The Inactive Life member shall still be responsible for fees related to workshops and other fee-based activities associated with the meeting when the cost of those workshops and activities is in addition to the meeting registration fee.
Membership dues are $30 a year for Regular and Associate members, and free for Life members. As a member of the NWAFS, you receive the Association's Newsletter which contains technical tips, job announcements, Association business, articles and other items of interest to the forensic community.
The Association only accepts new members at the fall meeting. Thus, the deadline for membership applications to reach the Membership Secretary is August 1.
If you are interested in applying for membership, download the Membership packet containing instructions, an application form, an endorsement form and a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association.
If you would like more information regarding membership, contact our Membership Secretary or download the forms below:
Corinna Owsley
Idaho State Police, Forensic Services
700 S. Stratford Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
Phone (208)884-7181
e-mail: corinna.owsley-at-isp.idaho.gov
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