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b.
History of Certification
The ABC program is based in large part on the work done by the Criminal-
istics Certification Study Committee (CCSC). From 1975 to 1979, more than
25 individuals from all regions of the United States and Canada, representing
many disciplines, all regional associations, and a diverse array of laboratories
participated in the CCSC. Under the auspices of a National Institute of Justice
(NIJ) grant, they studied and deliberated over the problems associated with
testing and certification, and surveyed the profession on its views. Failing a
majority vote by the members of professional associations polled, no certi-
fication program was implemented by the CCSC.
Building on the CCSC work and philosophy, the California Association
of Criminalists (CAC) developed a certification program in the late 1980s.
The initial stage of the CAC program was the development of an examination
designed to assess the overall competence of certification candidates. Those
candidates who passed the examination, and who met other professional
requirements, were issued a Certificate of Professional Competency in Crim-
inalistics. The CAC program recognized the inevitable trend toward special-
ization, but maintained a strong commitment to a solid foundation in the
full range of criminalistics.
In 1989, the need for certification again encroached on the national
consciousness, and the ABC was incorporated for the purpose of developing
a national certification program. In 1991, a liaison with the American Society
of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) was established, and, in 1992, the
American Association of Forensic Science (AAFS) Criminalistics Section
voted to join ABC. In 1993, the first GKE, based on the examination originally
developed by the CAC, was offered at the Boston AAFS meeting and the first
diplomate certificates were awarded later that year. In 1994, the first specialty
examinations were offered at the San Antonio AAFS meeting, resulting in
the first fellow certificates issued. In that same year, a proficiency testing
program was also implemented and the ABC newsletter initiated. At this
writing, over 450 people have been awarded ABC diplomate status. The
number grows every year with approximately 50 people per year sitting for
the GKE. Over 130 people have passed ABC Specialty Examinations and have
been awarded fellow status.
As this book goes to press, the ABC has just announced the availability
of a “Technical Specialist” examination. The examination was developed in
response to a perceived need for those who perform only DNA or drug analyses.
The argument was put forth that these workers neither have nor need a
complete generalist background to perform their jobs adequately in the con-
text of a case investigation. The examination will comprise a “Specialty Exam-
ination Component” and a “Forensic Science Core” set of questions reflecting
essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of forensic scientists practicing in
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Ethics and Accountability — The Profession of Forensic Science
309
that specialized discipline. The technical specialist must already be perform-
ing the analyses and show a record of passing proficiency tests (Selavka, 1999).
It remains to be seen how many people will take advantage of this examina-
tion, just how a Technical Specialist certification will be perceived in relation
to diplomate or fellow status, and whether technical specialist examinations
for other disciplines will follow.