The American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) was established in 1977 and is accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board. The Board’s objectives are two-fold: to establish, maintain and enhance standards of qualification for those who practice forensic document examination, and to certify applicants who comply with ABFDE requirements for this expertise. In doing so, the Board aims to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that anyone who claims to be a specialist in forensic document examination does, in fact, possess the necessary skills and qualifications.
The ABFDE is acknowledged as a certifying body by the Canadian Society of Forensic Science, the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, the Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, the Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association for Identification, the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists.
The ABFDE is committed to impartiality in all matters. Our bylaws and procedures are structured to manage and safeguard impartiality, and the Board of Directors of the ABFDE accepts responsibility for impartiality in all of its activities. The Board of Directors of ABFDE and each of the committees therein shall not allow personal, commercial, financial, or other pressures to compromise this responsibility. The policies and procedures of the ABFDE are fair, objective, non-discriminatory, and in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. The Board of Directors and committees of the ABFDE will identify potential risks to impartiality and take steps to remove such risks.
Officers
| President | Meg O'Brien |
| Vice President | Darlene Morin |
| Secretary | Bonnie Beal |
| Treasurer | Mark Goff |
Additional Directors
- Brett Bishop
- Lisa Hanson
- Stephanie Kingsbury
- George Lehman
- Jason Lee Miller
- Traci Moran
- Sandy Raudabaugh
Committee Chairs
| Testing | Lisa Hanson | |
| Credentials | Bonnie Beal | |
| Recertification | Sandra Raudabaugh | |
| Test Preparation & Validation | Traci Moran | |
| FSAB | Darlene Morin | |
| Public Relations | Lisa Hanson | |
| Continuing Education | Sandra Raudabaugh | |
| Historian | Larry Olson | |
| Rules and Procedures | George Lehman | |
| Nominations | Lisa Hanson | |
| ABFDE Syllabus | Gary Licht |
Past ABFDE Presidents
| Ted Burkes | 2017-2023 |
| Lloyd J. Josey, Jr. | 2016-2017 |
| Rosalind Spencer | 2015-2016 |
| Kirsten A. Singer | 2010-2015 |
| David Oleksow | 2009-2010 |
| Joyce Lauterbach | 2006-2009 |
| Paige Doherty | 2005-2006 |
| Brian Carney | 2003-2005 |
| Jan Seaman Kelly | 2001-2003 |
| A. Frank Hicks | 2000-2001 |
| Howard C. Rile, Jr. | 1997-1999 |
| Mary Wenderoth Kelly | 1995-1997 |
| Dan C. Purdy | 1993-1995 |
| Janet F. Masson | 1991-1993 |
| William J. Flynn | 1989-1991 |
| Thomas J. Donovan | 1987-1989 |
| Robert G. Lockard | 1985-1987 |
| James H. Kelly | 1983-1985 |
| James J. Horan | 1981-1983 |
| John J. Harris | 1979-1981 |