What is Forensic Anthropology?
Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical or biological anthropology to the legal process. Physical or biological anthropologists who specialize in forensics primarily focus their studies on the human skeleton.
    
Important Dates
Click on the group below to learn more about associated important dates.
    
Reference Manual
The ABFA manual includes information on:
• Bylaws
• Code of Ethics & Conduct
• Policies & Procedures
◊ Administrative Information
◊ Board of Directors
◊ ABFA Fees
◊ Application, Examination, and Certification Policies and Proedures
    
Common Dates
Important Dates for Applicants
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Completed application (including all letters of recommendations) by December 1 prior to the year of the ABFA Board of Directors meeting in which the application will be considered. Application Fee of $100.00 must be submitted with application.
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If reapplying after failed application attempt, reapplication must be received by Secretary by December 1 prior to the year of the ABFA Board of Directors meeting in which the application will be considered (see “Reapplication Procedure” for more information).
Important Dates for Examinees
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Notify the Vice President of your intention to sit for the examination by November 1 prior to the examination.
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Pay $200 examination fee to the Treasurer of the ABFA by December 1 prior to the examination.
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Sit for the examination on MONDAY (note day change) of the week and at the location of the annual AAFS meeting. The Vice President will notify you of the precise time and location of the scheduled examination at least two weeks prior to the examination.
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The Examination Committee Chairperson will provide you with the written portion of the most recent examination within ninety (90) days after the Board meeting at which you are accepted to sit for the examination.
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You will be notified of the results of your examination no later than March 30 of the year in which the examination is taken.
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If a reexamination is necessary, please see the “Retakes” portion of this manual for details about the procedures.
Important Dates for Officers of the Board
Officers and Directors of the Board assume office on July 1 and relinquish office on June 30. Officers hold office for one year or until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.
President:
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Notify chairpersons of their committee membership and charges within one week after annual meeting.
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Package and ship all ABFA Presidential material and equipment to incoming President within thirty (30) days of the new President assuming office.
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Communicate a synopsis of Board decisions from annual meeting to Diplomates within twenty (20) days of receipt of draft minutes from Secretary.
Vice President:
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Notify all examinees of the precise time and location of the examination at least two weeks prior to the scheduled examination.
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Notify all examinees of results of the examination by March 30 following the examination.
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Package and ship all ABFA Vice Presidential material and equipment to the incoming VP within 30 days of the new VP assuming office.
Secretary:
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Produce the minutes of annual Board Meeting within sixty (60) days and send to the Executive Committee members for approval.
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Notify the AAFS staff of changes in the ABFA officers within thirty (30) days after the annual business meeting.
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Notify applicants approximately one week prior to December 1 as to the status of the application (including the status of letters of recommendation received), provided the Secretary is aware of the forthcoming application.
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Send pending applications to all members of the Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting in February.
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Inform each applicant in writing of the Board’s decisions concerning his/her application within thirty (30) days after the annual meeting and provide written feedback supporting the decision.
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Except for the original notarized application form, destroy all inactive application materials three years after their review, including original applications transferred from the previous Secretary.
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Package and ship all ABFA Secretary material and equipment to the incoming Secretary within thirty (30) days of the new Secretary assuming office.
Treasurer:
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Send the first notice of the February 1 dues deadline by September 1 of the year prior to the deadline.
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If needed, send a second notice of the February 1 deadline by December 1.
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If the February deadline is not met, send a delinquent dues notice by March 15 through certified mail (return receipt requested). This third notice shall state that action to revoke certification has been initiated and will automatically occur if dues are not received by April 15. This third statement shall also include the following sentence: “The Treasurer must receive written notification through certified mail by April 1 of circumstances beyond your control that prevent your payment of outstanding dues by the extended deadline of April 15. The Board of Directors will review these circumstances and, at their discretion, may extend the deadline.”
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Package and ship all ABFA Treasurer material and equipment to the incoming Treasurer within thirty (30) days of the new Treasurer assuming office.
Important Dates for members of the Board of Directors:
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Nominations to the Board may be made to any member of the Board of Directors and are accepted from the time of the AAFS annual meeting through April 1.
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Elections to the Board of Directors by majority vote by May 1.
Important Dates for all Diplomates:
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February 1 each year: Sign and return ethics statement.
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February 1 each year: Send dues to Treasurer.
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February 1 every three years on the anniversary date of your certificate: Send recertification document to the Chairperson of the Recertification Committee. See below for your schedule. The date of your certificate is listed in “Diplomates by Diplomate Number and Certification Date.”
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Submit an Application for Recertification by July 1 prior to the third anniversary of the current Certificate of Qualification. For example, a Diplomate granted a Certificate in 2000 would apply for recertification in 2003, 2006, etc.
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Failure to submit the Application for Recertification as outlined will result in the automatic lapse of the Certificate.
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After the Certification Committee of the ABFA notifies the Diplomate of impending decertification, the Diplomate must furnish the Application for Recertification to that Committee within thirty (30) days. If notice of extenuating circumstances is received by the Board within fifteen (15) days of notice of impending decertification, the Certification Committee, at its discretion, may grant an extension.
Please Note: Skeletal images used on this site do not represent actual human remains.

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