Membership in the Association of Forensic Document Examiners
AFDE membership is comprised of document examiners in private practice and law enforcement, as well as individuals in allied professions. Our admittance testing of document examiners limits membership to those individuals willing to subject themselves to peer review. We believe this maintains quality of membership. Our allied professionals (Affiliate Members) are an invaluable resource.
Membership Criteria includes:
- a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or in lieu of a degree, professional experience, based on the candidate completing the Academic Equivalency Program.
- letters of recommendation from a list of specified professionals familiar with the candidate’s abilities and reputation.
- agreement with the AFDE Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Ethics.
- good moral character.
Membership Categories
Membership Categories & Information
Click on the membership types below to see additional details. If you qualify in any of these categories and would like more specific information on membership, please contact the AFDE Membership Director, Tamara Kaiden.
Professional membership is open to established professionals engaged in forensic document examination. Methods and procedures of conducting an examination must be limited to scientific and forensic procedures generally recognized as acceptable means to evaluate evidence. Admittance testing is required.
Dues are $175.00 per year.
In addition to the general requirements previously stated, applicants are required to submit three cases for evaluation by a review committee during the application process. Upon acceptance of the application, the individual must sit for testing at the next symposium and pass all portions of the test before being presented to the membership for vote.
The testing is proctored and covers principles of handwriting identification, typewriting, ink and paper comparison, laboratory procedures, document photography, court procedures, legal terminology and other aspects of document examination. Complete three practical examinations with written opinions applying standard document examination procedures.
Certified membership is available to individuals who are certified by an FSAB-accredited certification board such as the Board of Forensic Document Examiners, and have held professional membership for a minimum of one year.
Dues are $175.00 per year.
Certified membership is available to individuals who are certified by AFDE or by an FSAB-accredited certification board such as the Board of Forensic Document Examiners, and have held professional membership for a minimum of one year.
Dues are $175.00 per year.
Associate membership is open to individuals preparing for a career in forensic document examination. Students must be enrolled in a forensic science curriculum or a forensic science certificate program in questioned documents at an accredited college or university or be trainees in forensic document examination under the direction of a qualified forensic document examiner (Principal Trainer).
Trainees must be participating in a training program that is compliant with ASTM E2388. Once the trainee completes his/her training and begins offering opinions and signing reports on his/her own, he/she must apply for AFDE professional membership status.
Dues are $50.00 per year.
International membership is open to: (a) practicing document examiners who do not hold U. S. citizenship and are not employed in the United States; (b) practicing document examiners who do not hold U. S. citizenship, but are employed in one of its territories; (c) practicing document examiners who hold U. S. citizenship, but reside in Puerto Rico.
Dues are $75.00 per year.
Affiliate membership is available to individuals engaged in a related scientific field or having a special interest in document examination. An Affiliate Member cannot render opinions as a forensic document examiner. If forensic document examination services are offered through the applicant’s business, said examinations must be conducted by an individual who has completed 2 years full time training or the equivalent, under a practicing forensic document examiner. Additional requirements may apply.
Dues are $75.00 per year