Become a Member - Provisional Member Application

Instructions

• Please review the Bylaws and the Code of Ethics. If you feel that you qualify for membership in AFTE, complete the online application form below. Alternatively, a paper form can be downloaded and mailed to the address listed on the form.
• All questions must be answered. Use additional pages as necessary (if filling out the paper form).
• A copy of your C.V. (or resume) must accompany your completed application form.
• Provide three (3) Letters of Recommendation OR Applicant Recommendation Forms from three (3) Regular members of AFTE. In the event you are able to obtain three (3) recommendation letters or applicant recommendation forms, but not all three (3) are from Regular members of the Association, a Letter of Explanation must accompany your application describing why you were unable to obtain (3) Regular member recommendations.
• If you need assistance with letters of recommendation, you can contact the Chair of the AFTE Advisory Committee for assistance.
• The application fee is $135.00 for Provisional Membership ($35 of this amount is a non-refundable application fee. Upon acceptance the remaining $100 will be applied toward the first years’ membership dues. If for any reason you are not granted Membership, the remaining $100 will be refunded). AFTE Store payment is preferred. If paying by check, please mail all checks to:

Ally Anderson
602 East Main St
Durham, NC 27701

• Applications can be submitted digitally via the online application form below or printed and mailed to the following address:

Jessica Winn, Membership Secretary
CA DOJ BFS Fresno Regional Lab
5311 N. Woodrow Ave.
Fresno, CA 93740
Phone: 559-862-2634
Email: membership@afte.org

• If mailing, your completed application must include the following:
  • The completed application
  • Curriculum Vitae or resume
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation and/or Applicant Recommendation Forms
  • Proof of Payment (via PayPal or check sent to AFTE)
• Provisional membership is valid for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. A Provisional member MUST APPLY for advancement to Regular membership within this time period. It is the responsibility of the individual member to ensure application to regular membership is received within this time period.

Forms for Physical Application

The following forms can be printed at your convenience:

Provisional Membership Instructions and Checklist

Provisional Membership Application

Provisional Application Recommendation Form

Online Application for Provisional Membership

We appreciate your interest in AFTE. To be eligible for Provisional membership, you must be either an experienced  Firearm and/or Toolmark Examiner or in training as a Firearm and/or Toolmark Examiner. Experience and training must include Firearm/Toolmark Identification as defined in the AFTE Glossary.

“Firearms Identification: A discipline of forensic science which has as its primary concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition component was fired by a particular firearm.”
“Toolmark Identification: Toolmark identification is a discipline of forensic science which has as its primary concern to determine if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool.”

This information is intended to assist you in determining your eligibility. Please carefully read the Bylaws (which can be viewed here), notably the Preamble and Article III Section 1B and Section 2A, to determine your eligibility.
Additionally, the AFTE Code of Ethics can be viewed on the AFTE website. By signing the second page of the
application, you agree to abide by the AFTE Bylaws and Code of Ethics once you have been accepted as a member.

Should you feel that you are qualified for membership and wish to apply, please read the Bylaws and Code of Ethics,
complete the following application and please keep in mind the following things:

• The $35 application fee is non-refundable. Receipts for the application fee and first year dues are provided by the Treasurer only upon request.
• The application requires two recommendations (AFTE Bylaws Article III Section 2A1d). The preferred format for recommendations is the Applicant Recommendation Form. One is included in this packet and can also be found on the AFTE website as a downloadable file. Those providing recommendations may also submit a traditional recommendation letter, which should state the working relationship between you and the person recommending you, and why that person feels you should be accepted as Provisional Member. Any letters submitted must be individual in nature and not the same/essentially the same letter or memo signed by three different people.
• The application calls for recommendations from three Regular Members of the Association. However, as a provisional membership applicant, you may have provisional AFTE members or non-AFTE members provide recommendations. If you include provisional or non-AFTE member recommendations, then you must write an additional letter explaining why three Regular AFTE members were not used as references. If you need assistance with letters of recommendation, you can contact the Chair of the AFTE Advisory Committee for assistance. Consult the AFTE website for Committee information.
• Provisional membership is valid for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. A Provisional member must apply for advancement to Regular membership within this time period. It is the responsibility of the individual member to ensure application to regular membership is received within this time period.

Inquiries regarding subscription to the AFTE Journal or to obtain back issues of the AFTE Journal should be directed to the Treasurer. Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.