AAFS 2025
Accreditation of Forensic Science Academic Programs Through the AAFS Forensic Science Education Programs Commission (FEPAC)
Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 8:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Open to ALL Meeting Attendees
| Choir: Heidi Eldridge, PhD The George Washington University Washington, DC | Commissioner: Pamela Marshall, PhD Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA | Commissioner: Amy Brodeur, MFS Boston University School of Medicine Boston, MA |
| Commissioner: Thomas Brettell, PhD Cedar Crest College Allentown, PA | Commissioner: A. Karl Larsen, PhD University of Illinois Chicago, IL |
Learning Overview
Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to understand the process of accreditation through the AAFS FEPAC mechanism and be able to participate in the process as a reviewer of academic programs. Participants from academic programs will also learn about the process of accreditation from different perspectives.
Program Description
This session has been developed to assist academic institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in forensic science and forensic digital evidence to prepare for the accreditation process through the FEPAC. This session will also assist future on-site evaluators (academic and practitioners) to prepare for on-site evaluations of academic programs. Successful completion of this session will qualify participants for consideration to serve as on-site evaluators for FEPAC in the future (please note that participants must still meet other FEPAC requirements, such as membership in the AAFS and designation as either a practitioner or academician). This training session will highlight updates to the FEPAC Standards for Accreditation and provide valuable information for both program directors and on-site evaluators.
The FEPAC is a standing committee of the AAFS with a membership that includes five educators, five forensic science practitioners, and a public member as voting members. The mission of the FEPAC is to maintain and enhance the quality of forensic science education through a formal evaluation and recognition of college-level academic programs. The FEPAC has been accrediting programs since 2004. The primary function of the committee is to develop and maintain standards and to administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high-quality underÂgraduate and graduate forensic science programs. Forty-five institutions comprising a total of 51 academic programs are currently accredited. Additional information on FEPAC can be found on the FEPAC website: https://www.aafs.org/FEPAC.
Program
| 8:30 am - 9:00 am | Introduction and Welcoming Remarks/Module 1: What to Know About FEPAC Heidi Eldridge, PhD |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am - 9:30 am | Module 2: An Overview of the FEPAC Application Process Thomas Brettell, PhD |
| 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Module 3: A Review of Self-Study Standards 3.0-General for All Programs Pamela Marshall, PhD |
| 10:00 am - 10:15 am | BREAK |
| 10:15 am - 10:45 am | Module 4: A Review of Self-Study Standards 4.0-Undergraduate Programs Pamela Marshall, PhD |
| 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Module S: A Review of Self-Study Standards 5.0-Graduate Programs A. Karl Larsen, PhD |
| 11:15 am - 11:45 am | Module 6: Accreditation Decisions and Categories, Appeals Process, Annual Reports, Substantive Changes, and Post-Visit Survey Heidi Eldridge, PhD |
| 11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Module 7: FEPAC On-Site Evaluator Training Amy Brodeur, MFS |
| 12:15 pm - 12:45 pm | Questions and Answers FEPAC Commissioners and Accreditation Manager |