News

The American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) has exciting news to share!  Beginning July 1, 2025, we will be using electronic testing for our new/ISO accredited examinations!  This process will be much more convenient for our candidates.  We have tested this process with our Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) and with field testing of our new Seized Drug Analysis (SDA) examination and have received very positive feedback regarding the test taking experience.  What does this mean for you?

• Exams will no longer be offered at regional and national meetings; rather, potential candidates will have the convenience of less travel by taking the exam at their own laboratory or one in close proximity.  Exams can be taken on your computer after downloading the appropriate software.
•  Electronic exams are secure using a Safe Browser application.
•   Proctors will still be required in-person to add additional security.
•  The requirement to act as a Proctor has been expanded to allow any current ABC certificant to take on that role for electronic testing.  These new examinations will no longer be offered in paper.
•  Exam outcomes (pass/fail) should be available sooner than paper.
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The following exams will be converted to electronic testing as of July 1, 2025:

• Biological Screening
• Forensic DNA
• Foundational Knowledge

Seized Drug Analysis will be offered electronically once it is released from field testing later in 2025.

We hope that you are just as excited as we are about this new experience for test-taking; however, we understand that you may have questions.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Member Director, the ABC Registrar, or the President with any questions.  We will continuously monitor the testing experience to ensure that it is successful for all our candidates.  Please visit our website at criminalistics.com for more information on the electronic testing process as it becomes available. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be offering the Introductory Fire Debris Analysis for the Forensic Chemist class for US federal, state, and local government laboratory analysts from July 21-24, 2025. This is a four-day course designed for analysts in the early stages of fire debris training or with less than a year experience in conducting fire debris analysis casework. The course is tuition-free and will be offered at the ATF Forensic Science Laboratory – Washington in Beltsville, Maryland.

Introductory Fire Debris Analysis for the Forensic Chemist covers the basic theory and concepts analysts need to understand in order to help them gain initial competency from their agency. Classroom learning will be enhanced with hands-on exercises and small group assignments.

The class flyer may be found here and the application form here.

Bowling Green State University's Delta Delta Epsilon chapter is hosting a virtual "Post-Graduation Panel for Forensic Scientists" on November 19th at 3:30 PM EST. The Zoom link can found here and a flyer about the event may be viewed at this link.

Register for the webinar here.

The American Board of Criminalistics needs your help!  After many months of preparation, we are ready to offer field testing of our new Seized Drug Analysis examination.  We are seeking candidates to take the field test for the Seized Drug Analysis exam.  There is no application or sitting fee to sit for this field test.  If a candidate successfully completes the examination and wishes to be certified, they only need to pay the application fee, a savings of $250! The ABC needs field testing of new certification exams to help evaluate the exams. 

PLEASE NOTE:  We anticipate using electronic testing for this field test.  We are still finalizing the development of this platform.  At this time, we will NOT be allowing the use of MacOS devices.   More information on the examination and the electronic examination process can be found on our Seized Drug Analysis page.

If you wish to take the examination, please complete the application form found on our Application Process page.   You do not need to pay any application or examination fees at this time.  We will post offerings on our Offerings page.  Please keep an eye out for offerings.  Once you identify an offering that you wish to attend, please complete the Request for Examination Seat form found on our Application Process page. 

We are also seeking hosts for the Seized Drug Analysis examination.  If your agency wishes to host an exam, that can be arranged.   Please review the requirements for hosting examinations.  Due to the technical nature of these offerings, we are requesting that a Local Arrangements Coordinator be identified and complete the necessary checklist prior to requesting an examination.  The links to the checklist and the Request to Host the examination can be found on our Host an Examination page.  At this time, we will not be offering electronic examinations at regional or national forensic meetings or conferences.

Click here for an informational flyer for the 2024 Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists (NWAFS) Virtual Annual Conference. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is performing a research investigation into the exposure of illicit drugs among forensic laboratory workers.  The study aims to measure the unintentional occupational exposure to illicit drugs among public safety workers in forensic laboratories, evaluate the current practices and personal protection equipment utilized, and recommend engineering controls and standard operating procedures to reduce and remove exposures to illicit drugs. Participation is anonymous, voluntary, and is at no cost to the facility.

NIOSH is seeking volunteers who work in forensic laboratories and regularly handle suspected controlled substances. An informational flyer can be found here. If you have questions or are interested in participating, please contact Jennie Cox directly at jcox@cdc.gov or qxi3@cdc.gov.

Click here to register for the 2024 MAFS Annual Fall Meeting.

You can find the ABC Spring 2024 newsletter here. If you have any questions regarding the ABC, please reach out to our representative, Danielle Hankinson.

ABC Newsletter - Spring 2024