Message from the President

 

I am honored to announce that after consultation with both the Member of the Year Committee and the Howe family, the Board of Directors unanimously has agreed to the following proposal;

Proposal to Rename the Member of the Year Award to the Walter J. Howe Award

The purpose of the following is to rename the Member of the Year Award to the Walter J. Howe Award. Mr. Howe served his country with honor and distinction during World War II, during which he was the Chief Armament Inspector at the Army Ordnance Office in Fort Dix, New Jersey. After the war, Mr. Howe worked for several publishing companies before taking the position of Director of Research and Development at Marlin Firearms Company in North Haven, CT. While touring the facility, U.S. Army Major General Julian Hatcher proposed that Mr. Howe join the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Washington, DC. When the NRA brought Mr. Howe to Washington, they were looking for an individual with not only an extensive knowledge of firearms, but also an individual with vision and drive to provide both advice and guidance on the future direction of their organization. Mr. Howe more than satisfied all of these requirements. Mr. Howe became the Editor of the American Rifleman magazine in 1953, a post he retained until 1966. While with the magazine, Mr. Howe published articles by Jack Weller (of Hatcher, Jury, and Weller fame) on the fundamentals of forensic firearm identification. This was done to increase the awareness and raise the level of knowledge and was a first for a magazine whose readers were typically devoted to hunting and shooting.

In the early 1960s, he became a member, and then a Fellow, of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Because of the increasing size and the number of disciplines in the AAFS, Mr. Howe recognized the need for a group exclusively for firearm and tool mark examination. Thirty-five men met in Chicago, IL, back in 1969 to form the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE). Mr. Howe was selected to be the first president of the association. In addition to being president, Mr. Howe became the editor of the AFTE Newsletter. His focus was to promote the exchange of information to raise the level of professionalism within the discipline. It is still what AFTE strives to achieve. Certainly the argument can be made that without Mr. Howe AFTE would not exist and it would not be the type of organization it is today. To many members, Mr. Howe was so much more than the first President of AFTE. He was also a mentor, an advisor, and most importantly, a role model. Mr. Howe served as an example to all of us of the things we could be capable of if only we worked hard enough and never compromised our standards or integrity. The current Member of the Year Committee Chair and its members have unanimously and wholeheartedly agreed that this prestigious awards name should be changed. Since the purpose of this annual award is to recognize individuals who have assisted AFTE in an outstanding manner, it is all together fitting that this award be named the Walter J. Howe Award.

Very Respectfully Submitted
Dan B. Gunnell
43rd AFTE President

AFTE On-Line Certification Test Update and Information

The AFTE Certification Programs Committee has been hard at work this last year updating the written test, and preparing for an on-line version. The final preparations for the installation of the on-line test is planned to be completed in the next few months, hopefully on or before the next AFTE Training Conference in Buffalo, New York. Therefore, there will not be written tests traditionally offered the Sunday prior to the conference. We are certain that offering these tests on-line will benefit those members who cannot attend the AFTE Training Conferences regularly, and offer a more convenient way to begin or expand on their certification.

It is planned that the application process and cost will remain unchanged, so if you are still contemplating taking the test, please submit your applications as currently detailed on the AFTE Certification web pages.

When the test installation is complete, more information, details, and instructions will be announced.

Robert M. Thompson, Chair-Certification Programs

AFTE 2012

The initial listing of Workshops for the 2012 Annual Training Seminar have been added to the Seminar webpage.  Click here to see what training opportunities are available at this year's meeting.  Check back regularly for additional workshops.

 

Registration will open on February 15, 2012!!!

AFTE 2012 - Attention International Members

 

For those international members that require a letter of invitation in order to receive a Visa, we now have a link set up to email Mark Shaw (2012 Registration).  Once he receives your email, he will get one to you as soon as possible.  Click here to be redirected to our letter of invitation page.

A Message from AFTE President Dan Gunnell:

 

Fellow AFTE Members,

It is with great regret that I have accepted Scott Doyle's resignation from his position as Member at Large to the Board of Directors. Scott has expressed concern that, with all of his other obligations, he did not feel he could continue to devote the time necessary to properly execute the duties required of him within the Association. Scott has been an invaluable asset and truly contributed to make AFTE a better organization. Even with Scott's decision to leave the Board, he placed the best interests of the Association first. It has been an honor to serve with Scott and I am sure we all wish him the best with all of his future endeavors.

In accordance with the AFTE By-Laws, Article 6 Section 2e - "In the event a vacancy occurs in the position of Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, or Member at Large by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, the President shall appoint a replacement who shall serve until the next annual election. At that time, an election shall be held to fill any remaining term.", I have appointed Ms. Kathy Richert of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to fill this position. Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board. I have every confidence that she will do an outstanding job. Please welcome Kathy to the Board and extend whatever assistance she might require in order to ease this difficult transition.

Dan Gunnell
43rd AFTE President

 

Are you interested in participating in an AFTE Committee? 

 

If so, e-mail your contact information, as well as any specific interests and/or specialized skills to Brandon Giroux.

MESSAGE FROM THE AFTE BOD:

 

It is always a sad event when a member of our AFTE family passes away; however, the recent unexpected loss of our sister Laurie Crutchfield from Orange County is particularly tragic (more information is available on the Sickness and Distress Forum). Lauries family has set up an account to help with Lauries young daughter Kelcis education. The Board of Directors is asking for your help in assisting to provide Kelci the type of education that you would want for your own child. The webmaster has set up a Paypal link to the Kelci Anne Crutchfield Memorial College Fund. On numerous occasions Lauries smile brightened an otherwise dismal day. It is hoped that we can, in some small way, help make Kelcis future a bit brighter. Please give from your heart.

 

Name:
Member Number:

 

**ATTENTION**

 

REGISTRATION FOR AFTE 2011 WILL CLOSE AT NOON (CST) ON FRIDAY, MAY 27th. 
ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO REGISTRATION MUST BE MADE BY CONTACTING JEN CONES AT AFTE.SEMINAR@GMAIL.COM. THANK YOU.

**ATTENTION**

 

AFTE 2011 Friends and Family Program Update

 

Due to a lack of interest, a couple of the F&F Program events have been canceled.

 

The Chicago Botanical Gardens (1 registrant)

The Ghost Tour (6 registrants

 

Individuals that have prepaid for the above events will be refunded their registration money.

 

The Chicago by the River event will take place as schedule (Tuesday, May 31)