2025-26 Nomination Period Now Open for Academy-Wide Awards

The nomination period for 2025–26 Academy-wide awards has opened. Please consider submitting nominations for the following awards.

Past Presidents Council Award for Outstanding Early Career Achievement in Forensic Science

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to forensic science research, education, and/or practice during the recipient's early professional career.

Summary of Criteria:

• Nominees must be Associate Members, Members, or Fellows of the Academy with less than 10 years of Academy membership.  Individuals with greater than 10 years of paid employment in any forensic science career are not eligible for this award; and,
• The recipient shall have demonstrated both leadership and outstanding achievement through contributions that have served to advance forensic science and its application to the legal system in a manner that promotes professionalism, integrity, competency, education, research, practice, and collaboration.

Nominating Procedure and Deadline:

• Candidates must be nominated by a Fellow of the Academy.
• Nominations must be submitted to Assistant Director Kimberly Wrasse, kwrasse@aafs.org, no later than April 15.

Submission Must Include:

• A letter of nomination detailing the candidate's accomplishments and the reasons she/he is deserving of this Academy-wide recognition.
• A current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae; and,
• Any relevant supporting documentation (e.g., a seminal publication; an innovative course syllabus or textbook; or a significant contribution to the AAFS meeting program, such as organizing a workshop or an interdisciplinary panel).

Award:  The recipient will receive a 1,000, a crystal award, and reimbursement to attend the 2026 AAFS Annual Scientific Conference (including registration, coach airfare, lodging while in attendance at the conference not to exceed five nights, and up to $75 per diem per day).

Gradwohl Medallion

Summary of Criteria:

The recipient must be or have been (posthumous nominees are permitted) a Fellow in the Academy with exceptional distinction in:

• Creative activity such as research in the physical sciences or literary accomplishments that distinctly advance one (1) or more of the forensic sciences either in terms of a single achievement or from cumulative achievements over a period of time; and
• Outstanding service to the AAFS over a long period of time, the service resulting in generally recognized and beneficial improvements in the AAFS; and
• Outstanding attainment in a public position and service in activities in which the forensic sciences are concerned (e.g., a high-level judicial position, a public safety director, a national bureau directorship).

Nominating Procedure and Deadline:

• Nominations may be made by any AAFS member or by the Awards Committee members themselves.
• Nominations shall be in writing and may be submitted electronically to Awards Committee Chair Christopher "Kip" Thompson, chthompsonmd@gmail.com, no later than June 1.

Submission Must Include:

• A letter detailing the candidate's accomplishments and the reasons the candidate is deserving of the Medallion; and
• A current copy of the candidate's curriculum vitae; and
• Any relevant supporting documentation.

Award:  The award shall consist of a small 14k gold medal displaying the likeness of R.B.H. Gradwohl, founder of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Distinguished Fellow Award

Summary of Criteria:

The recipient must be a Fellow in the Academy with:

• Meritorious service to the Academy, forensic science, and other professional organizations; and Significant contributions to the forensic sciences in administration and management, learned publications, consultation, education, and research. Contributions may be a single distinctive achievement or cumulative achievements over a period of time, and
• Outstanding achievements in public health, welfare, and safety.

Nominating Procedure and Deadline:

• Nominations may be made by any AAFS member or by the Awards Committee members themselves.
• Nominations shall be in writing and may be submitted electronically to Awards Committee Chair Christopher "Kip" Thompson, chthompsonmd@gmail.com, no later than June 1.

Submission Must Include:

• A letter detailing the candidate's accomplishments and the reasons the candidate is deserving of the Award; and
• A current copy of the candidate's curriculum vitae; and
• Any relevant supporting documentation.

Award:  Presentation of the Distinguished Fellow Award shall occur during the AAFS Annual Business Meeting of the Members.

Ambassador of Forensic Science Award

Summary of Criteria:

• The recipient may be an individual or group that has advanced the recognition of the power of forensic science in the pursuit of justice through public service or journalistic or humanitarian efforts.
• The individual or group may be nominated for their efforts in the course of their employment if the work advances the recognition of the power of forensic science in the pursuit of justice.
• Academy members are not eligible for this award. It is designed to highlight the contributions of non-scientists to the forensic science community, such as reporters, government officials, or non-profit groups.
• The individual or group may be nominated for their efforts in the course of their employment if the work advances the recognition of the power of forensic science in the pursuit of justice.

Nominating Procedure and Deadline:

• Any member of the AAFS may submit recommendations for nominations to the Awards Committee.
• Nominations shall be in writing and may be submitted electronically to Awards Committee Chair Christopher "Kip" Thompson, chthompsonmd@gmail.com, no later than August 1.

Award:  The award will cover the expenses for the recipient's attendance at the AAFS annual conference at which the award is presented. Expenses will include a basic meeting registration, up to $1,500 for airfare, lodging while in attendance at the annual meeting not to exceed three nights, and a $75 per diem for up to three days. If the recipient is a group, AAFS will cover the attendance expenses for one representative designated by the group. A commemorative plaque or other suitable item will be presented to the recipient at the AAFS Annual Scientific Conference.

Douglas M. Lucas Medal

Summary of Criteria:

The nominee should be a person who has distinguished himself/herself in the forensic sciences (not necessarily an AAFS member) and who has: 

• A record of meritorious service to the forensic science community and to professional peer group organizations, or
• Made significant contributions to forensic science research and has learned publications, been active in the educational fields, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership and management capability, nationally or internationally, or
• Made outstanding contributions in the national or international aspects of public health, welfare, and safety as these relate to the forensic sciences.

Nominating Procedure and Deadline:

• Any member of the AAFS or a member of the Awards Committee may submit nominations to the Awards Committee.
• All nominations must include a letter detailing the candidate's accomplishments and the reasons the candidate deserves the Medal, together with a current copy of the candidate's curriculum vitae, and any relevant supporting documentation.
• All nominations shall be in writing and may be submitted electronically to Awards Committee Chair Christopher "Kip" Thompson, chthompsonmd@gmail.com, no later than November 25.

Award:  The Lucas Medal shall consist of a 14k medal which reflects the stature of this honor. The award shall, in addition, provide reimbursement for one (1) complimentary 2026 IAFS meeting registration, economy airfare, $75/day per diem, and single rate hotel lodging for the duration of the IAFS meeting (May 25-30, 2026, Sofia, Bulgaria). AAFS staff shall be responsible for coordinating meeting registration, travel, and hotel arrangements. Any additional expenses are the recipient's responsibility.  The awardee is expected to make a presentation, the topic to be at the discretion of the recipient, to be known as the Lucas Lecture. The award recipient is encouraged to submit a written paper of the lecture for consideration by the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic Sciences.