|
|
       |
 |
 |
ACFEI Articles The Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC, Program: The Common Denominator for the American College of Forensic Examiners Article Publisher: Robert O'Block - Date: 2/4/05 The American College of Forensic Examiners is the world's largest professional forensic membership association. According to Robert O'Block, founder and CEO of ACFEI, the association encompasses members who belong to any one or more of 13 different specialty boards, including the American Board of Forensic Examiners, the American Board of Forensic Medicine, the American Board of Law Enforcement Experts, the American Board of Forensic Accounting, the American Board of Forensic Dentistry, the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Board of Examiners in Crisis Intervention, the American Board of Forensic Counselors, the American Board of Forensic Engineering and Technology, the American Board Psychological Specialties, the American Board of Recorded Evidence, the American Board of Forensic Social Workers, and the American Board of Forensic Nursing. With such a diverse membership that includes so many different professional fields, the question is often asked if there is a common denominator that attracts these forensic professionals to the American College of Forensic Examiners. O'Block notes that, regardless of the area of forensic expertise, members have a serious interest in acquiring training in the finer points of being a forensic consultant. Many of them serve as expert witnesses, assisting attorneys in a variety of different areas of expertise. Typically, members already possess the knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education that will qualify them by law as expert witnesses. However, O'Block notes that what they are typically lacking is an adequate understanding of the law and knowledge of the American judicial system, which precludes them from being effective expert witnesses. It was this glaring need that led to the development of the American College of Forensic Examiners’ Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC, program. The Certified Forensic Consultant program is intended to train forensic professionals in the law, both generally and specifically. It educates individuals in the fine points of being competent and knowledgeable forensic contributors in the unique environment of the American judicial system. The preferred method of becoming a Certified Forensic Consultant is to attend a two-day preparatory course at an ACFEI conference. The training course features two days of classroom instruction designed to orient the applicant to the anatomy of a lawsuit as well as how experts relate to attorneys and how attorneys relate to experts in the litigation process. Among the topics addressed are adhering to professional ethics; writing error-proof reports; providing deposition/courtroom testimony; presenting testimonial evidence and opinions; proper documentation procedures; preparing and/or reviewing interrogatories, and assisting counsel in the same; the Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE); comportment with jurisdictional rules; preparing a professional resume/curriculum vitae, retainer agreement, contract and other necessary documents; and the "business side" of the forensic profession such as billing, marketing, and conflict of interest concerns, etc. Upon successful completion of a comprehensive examination, attendees receive the designation, Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC. Robert O'Block notes that since its inception in 2003, the CFC preparatory course has been offered in several cities across the country, with the most recent offerings in Atlanta and Chicago. The next offering will be at ACFEI's 2005 National Conference in San Diego, California, September 30-October 1, 2005. Incidentally, if an applicant possesses adequate knowledge in the area of forensic consultation and courtroom procedure, he or she may sit for a proctored examination in his or her local area, rather than taking the two-day preparatory course. To find out more about the Certified Forensic Consultant program, including detailed information about the program, requirements, and application procedures, call toll-free (800) 423-9737 or email cfc@acfei.com. This Article is brought to you by
|
|
|
|
