Forensic Laboratory Analysis

The mission of the Subcommittee on Forensic Laboratory Analysis is:

1. To promote the education, research, communication and standardization activities and goals of the areas of forensic laboratory science (criminalistics) which include but are not limited to forensic biology (DNA), trace evidence, drug analysis and identification, toxicology, and general chemistry, throughout the year and at each annual conference.
2. To provide speakers for the general session and trainers for workshops. The chairperson will coordinate with the education seminar planner coordinator to ensure that the areas under this subcommittee are represented in the program.
3. The subcommittee will communicate with the membership through such organs as the Journal of Forensic Identification (JFI) and the Identification News.
4. To provide information and resources on the areas’ activities to the membership of IAI.
5. To help develop responses to issues concerning forensic laboratory analysis that comes before the IAI.

Each member of the subcommittee is selected for a one-year term generally the term of office of the president.

The member must be an Active Member of the IAI in good standing. They must be working in or retired from in at least one of the disciplines represented by the Forensic Laboratory Analysis Sub-committee.

The member shall remain actively engaged in the business of the subcommittee either by providing input to matters that come before the subcommittee, providing articles to be submitted to the Identification News and/or the Journal of Forensic Identification (JFI), assisting in providing presenters or presenting papers at the annual training seminar and/or providing trainers or presenting training at workshops at the annual training seminar.

The duties of the Chairperson of the Sub-committee on Forensic Laboratory analysis are as follows:

• Perform an immediate and thorough investigation of an applicant’s professional qualifications for membership in conformance with the provisions of the Operations Manual. Upon completion of said investigation, the Sub-committee Chairperson will make a judgment and return the prospective Member’s application with approval or disapproval of the Subcommittee indicated thereon. In the event that that a clear-cut decision cannot be made, the Chairperson of the Subcommittee shall consult the Chairperson of the Science and Practices Committee before rendering a decision.
• The Chairperson may hold an educational breakout session (seminar or seminars), workshop(s), or business meeting at the Annual IAI international Educational Conference pertinent to the disciplines under the charge of the Sub-committee, with participation open to anyone who is invited as a guest or a speaker or who is properly registered at the Annual IAI International Educational Conference. However, if there is limited space at a workshop, the workshop may be limited to only registered delegates.
• Vote at respective committee and or sub-committee meetings.
• Make recommendations to the Chairperson of the Science and Practices Committee who shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors, the President, or the full membership on matters that pertain to that discipline, especially where a vote of the General Membership is warranted.
• The Chairperson is responsible to act as a professional resource in his or her discipline for all the members in good standing of this association. This shall include, but is not limited to, answering technical questions, or referring members to a person who is qualified to answer the question.
• The Chairperson is responsible to act as an expert witness in his or her discipline for investigations and administrative hearings related to allegations of unethical or unprofessional conduct. This shall include, but is not limited to answering technical questions and serving as an advisor or technical consultant to both Ethics Investigation Committee and the Board of Directors. However, except as provided in the subsection (h.) Expert Witness for Investigations and Hearings, if the chairperson of the Science and Practices Subcommittee is involved in any manner with the allegation of unethical or unprofessional conduct another member of the same sub-committee shall be appointed by the President to serve in place of the Chairperson for the duties of the Chairperson that are covered by the aforementioned Subsection.
• Responsible for at least one (1) written report of activities. A copy of this written report must be given to the Chairperson of the Science and Practices Committee at no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Educational Conference.
• Perform such other duties, as the President or Board of Directors shall prescribe.