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IAFC - Membership & Application Guidelines

These guidelines are specifically designed to encourage applications from those individuals with, or pursuing, an educational background and/ or experience relevant to the goals and purposes of multi-disciplinary, evidence based criminal profiling. See also: Benefits of Membership

There are several types of memberships. Those considering membership should review the criteria for each carefully to determine which they are best qualified to pursue at the time they intend to make their application. Anyone who does not meet the written requirements for membership, but feels that they may otherwise be qualified, may petition the Board of Directors.

Note: The IAFC Board of Directors reviews each application, and reserves the right to refuse membership to any applicant for any reason.

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Membership

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Student Member
This category is designed to encourage students enrolled in any degree program to participate.

Applicants shall:

  • Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university working towards a degree.

Student Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Student Membership shall be $15.00 U.S.

Student Members may not vote on any issues before the Membership.

Criminology Section

Affiliate Member, Criminology
This category is designed to encourage applications from those professionals who work, teach, or study in the fields associated with criminology (e.g., criminal justice, criminology, sociology, and law). The IAFC defines criminology as the scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, and corrections.

Applicants shall:

  • Possess at least a four year degree in a behavioral science, criminology, sociology, criminal justice, administration of justice, or;
  • A degree in a related field (e.g., forensic science, law) from a resident program at an accredited college or university.

Affiliate Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 US, and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Affiliate Membership shall be $30.00 U.S.

Affiliate Members may not vote on any issues before the Membership.

Provisional Member, Criminology
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Affiliate Member, Criminology section based on achievement and examination.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Affiliate status in the Criminology section.
  • Work in criminology or criminal justice related profession.
  • Have received a passing grade on the Profiling General Knowledge Exam (PGKE).

Provisional Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Provisional Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Provisional Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Full Member, Criminology
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Provisional Member, Criminology section based on peer review.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Provisional status in the Investigative section.
  • Have submitted two written profiles (sanitized) for peer review to the IAFC Board, which meet the Guidelines for Written Profiles and Crime Scene Analyses.

Full Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Full Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Full Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Investigative Section

Affiliate Member, Investigative
 This category is designed to encourage applications from those professionals actively engaged in investigative casework. This may be through a federal, state, or local agency, as well as from the private sector. The IAFC is a non-partisan organization and encourages applications from all of those who are engaged in investigations for court purposes, whether prosecution or defense oriented, and whether criminal or civil .

Applicants shall:

  • Possess a minimum of four years experience working in an investigative capacity in at least one of the following areas: Homicide, Medicolegal Death, Sex Crimes, Arson, Missing Persons, Child Abuse & Neglect, or Terrorism.

Affiliate Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 US, and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Affiliate Membership shall be $30.00 U.S.

Affiliate Members may not vote on any issues before the Membership.

Provisional Member, Investigative
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Affiliate Member, Investigative section based on achievement and examination.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Affiliate status in the Investigative section.
  • Possess at least a four year degree from a resident program at an accredited college or university.
  • Have received a passing grade on the Profiling General Knowledge Exam (PGKE).

Provisional Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Provisional Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Provisional Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Full Member, Investigative
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Provisional Member, Investigative section based on peer review.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Provisional status in the Investigative section.
  • Have submitted two written profiles (sanitized) for peer review which meet IAFC Guidelines for Written Profiles and Crime Analyses.

Full Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Full Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Full Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Forensic Section

Affiliate Member, Forensic
 This category is designed to encourage applications from those professionals actively engaged in forensic casework. This may be through a federal, state, or local agency, as well as from the private sector. The ABP/IAFC is a non-partisan organization and encourages applications from those who are engaged in forensic examinations of evidence for law enforcement, prosecutorial counsel, defense counsel, and/ or for the court.

Applicants shall:

  • Possess a minimum of a Bachelors degree in a natural science or forensic science from a resident program at an accredited college or university.
  • Be working towards acquiring experience in cases involving homicide or sex crimes.

Affiliate Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 US, and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Affiliate Membership shall be $30.00 U.S.

Affiliate Members may not vote on any issues before the Membership.

Provisional Member, Forensic
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Affiliate Member, Forensic section based on achievement and examination.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Affiliate status in the Forensic section.
  • Possess three years of experience involved in the behavioral interpretation of evidence in cases involving homicide or sex crimes.
  • Have received a passing grade on the Profiling General Knowledge Exam (PGKE).

Provisional Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Provisional Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Provisional Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Full Member, Forensic
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Provisional Member, Forensic section based on peer review.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Provisional status in the Forensic section.
  • Have submitted two written profiles (sanitized) for peer review which meet IAFC Guidelines for Written Profiles and Crime Analyses.

Full Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Full Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Full Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Behavioral Section

Affiliate Member, Behavioral
 This category is designed to encourage applications from those professionals actively engaged in the forensic assessment of individuals for court purposes. This may be through a federal, state, or local agency, as well as from the private sector.

Applicants shall fulfill the requirements for either psychology or psychiatry.

Psychologists shall:

  • Possess a minimum of a PhD in Psychology from a resident program at an accredited college or university and at least 1000 hours of patient contact in a forensic setting.
  • Or have earned the status of Diplomate in Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Psychiatrists shall:

  • Possess a Medical Degree (MD or DO) and have completed an accredited residency in Psychiatry.
  • Have completed a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry, or be Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry, or possess at least 1000 hours of patient contact in a forensic setting.

Affiliate Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 US, and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Affiliate Membership shall be $30.00 U.S.

Affiliate Members may not vote on any issues before the Membership.

Provisional Member, Behavioral
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Affiliate Member, Behavioral section based on achievement and examination.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Affiliate status in the Behavioral section.
  • Have received a passing grade on the Profiling General Knowledge Exam (PGKE).

Provisional Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Provisional Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Provisional Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Full Member, Behavioral
 This category is designed to provide advancement for those in the Provisional Member, Behavioral section based on peer review.

Applicants shall:

  • Satisfy the requirements for Provisional status in the Behavioral section.
  • Have submitted two written profiles (sanitized) for peer review which meet IAFC Guidelines for Written Profiles and Crime Analyses.

Full Members shall pay an application fee of $25.00 U.S., and may be responsible for materials fees for materials furnished by the IAFC. Annual dues for Full Membership shall be $40.00 U.S.

Full Members may vote on any issues before the Membership.

Founding Members

Founding Members

A Founding Member is limited to those who participated in the initial formation of the Academy of Behavioral Profiling via the ABP Steering Committee. Projects undertaken by this body included, but were not limited to, the construction of ABP Membership criteria, ethical standards of conduct, developing the ABP Guidelines for Written Profiles and Crime Analyses, as well designing the Profiling General Knowledge Exam.

A Founding Member has all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Full Member.

Founding Members include:

Investigative Section
Det. John J. Baeza
Thomas M. (Mike) Chamberlin, MFS

Forensic Section
W. Jerry Chisum, BS
Brent Turvey, MS

Behavioral Section
Michael McGrath, MD

Diplomate Status

D-ABP

In 2013, the IAFC Board voted to create within the IAFC an Academy of Behavioral Profiling Board of Examiners. This ABP Board of Examiners is responsible for examining and credentialing criminal profilers within the IAFC membership. Such members are designated as Diplomates of the Academy of Behavioral Profiling (D-ABP). 

D-ABP Membership status shall serve as professional acknowledgement from the IAFC and The ABP Board of Examiners that a member has achieved an advanced level of knowledge, skill, and ability in the subject and practice of criminal profiling as demonstrated by satisfaction of the requirements outlined in the IAFC Criminal Profiler Professional Certification Act of 2013.

This includes arranging to take the ABP Board Examination.

Application for Diplomate status must be done in writing to at least Member of the ABP Board of Examiners. The cost of this application is $50.00.

A Diplomate of the ABP has all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Full Member.

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