The governing body of the International Association of Forensic Sciences is the Council, which is comprised of all living Past Presidents and is chaired by the President in Office. According to its Constitution, the IAFS organizes a World Conference every three years. The Council will elect a new President at each IAFS World Meeting, who will be responsible for the organizing, in his or her County, of the next World Meeting.

We invite forensic science professionals from the world over to submit applications for the Presidency. The next President, chosen at the 18th World Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA) in 2008, will be responsible for the organization of the 19th World Meeting in 2011.

The application should include:

1. A letter of intent, which provides basic information about the candidate and the proposed meeting and site,
2. A Curriculum Vitae of the candidate, and
3. A complete bid file for the organization of the next World Meeting. The package may be submitted electronically or by hard copy to the President and each member of the Council.

Some of the factors that are considered by the Council when choosing the new President are (1) the attractiveness and potential draw of the site, (2) the ability of the candidate to organize and carry out a successful meeting, (3) the proposed budget, and (4) the overall value that the meeting will provide to the attendees. While not required, it is not uncommon for the President to be brought to the proposed site by the candidate and his or her organizing committee in order to assess factors (1) and (2).

Letters of intent may be sent prior to the submission of the entire application package; however, the deadline for receipt of the entire application package is 15 May 2008. Letters of intent should be mailed to:

Ms. Kimberly Wrasse
IAFS General Secretariat
410 North 21st Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Any additional questions regarding the application process should be directed to IAFS President Ronald Singer by e-mail at crimelab@flash.net