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:
1. Regular Member: A Regular member is involved in the application of the natural sciences to the examination of physical evidence relating to criminal activity; or manages or supervises others engaged in the application of the natural sciences to the examination of physical evidence relating to criminal activity; or 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. Regular members are voting members of the Association and may hold office. Regular members must attend one meeting in six ("1 in 6" rule) or their Regular membership is downgraded to an Associate status until they do attend a meeting. Meeting attendance is 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.
2. Associate Member. Associate members do not meet the requirements for Regular member detailed in Section 2.B.1 of the Association's Bylaws. Thus, students, instructors and scientific product vendors are eligible for membership. Associate membership may be granted to persons otherwise qualified to be Regular members to avoid the "1 in 6" meeting rule. Associate members cannot vote on Association business nor serve in elected offices. Associate members may, however, serve on any of the Committees of the Association.
3. Life Member. Life membership is reserved for existing Association members who are Charter members; or who have served as officer(s) of the Association; or who have an on-going, active participation on the working committees of the Association; and who have demonstrated continued service to the Association. A member must be nominated for Life Membership by 3 Regular and/or Life members to be considered by the Membership Committee for consideration for this honor.
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:
Idaho State Police
Forensic Services
209 East Lewis
Pocatello, ID 83201
Phone (208)232-9474
Fax (208)232-3697
Download Forms
