Canadian Society of Forensic Science


The Canadian Society of Forensic Science is a professional association aimed at maintaining professional standards and promoting and enhancing the study and stature of forensic science. Membership in the society is open internationally to professionals with an active interest in the forensic sciences.

History

The CSFS was founded on October 16, 1953 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The founding members were William Wallace Sutherland, Charles George Farmilo, James Alexander Churchman, Blake B. Coldwell, and Leo Levi. The society officially became a non-profit corporation on April 10, 1963 with the signing of the Letters Patent under the authority of the Companies Act.

Present structure

The CSFS has an Executive Committee consisting of elected Officials and a Board of Directors. In addition there are several standing and special committees, including Awards, Finance, Membership, Nominating, Publication, Accreditation, Alcohol Test, Constitution, Drugs and Driving, and Informatics/Education.
The CSFS is further organized into sections representing diverse areas of forensic science, as follows:
There are six types of membership in the society: Regular, Fellow, Emeritus, Provisional, Associate and Student. As of 2009, the society had 590 members of all types.

Journal

The society publishes the peer-reviewed, quarterly Journal of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science. It is devoted to the publication of original papers, comments, and reviews in all branches of forensic science, as well as other matters of forensic interest. Abstracts from 1995 to the present are available online at the CSFS website.

Conference

The society holds a professional conference and Annual General Meeting. The location and specific dates vary each year.

Awards

The society gives out the following awards: