American Board of Criminalistics Law and Legal Definition

The American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) is the U.S.'s premier analyst certification body composed of regional and national organizations representing forensic scientists and criminalists.

The ABC offers a certificate in comprehensive criminalistics, as well as in the specialty disciplines of molecular biology, drug chemistry, fire debris analysis, trace evidence - hairs and fibers, and trace evidence - paints and polymers.

The purposes of the ABC are to:

a. establish professional acceptable levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the practice of the science of criminalistics;

b. define a mechanism to achieve professional levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities;

c. promote growth within the profession of criminalistics;

d. encourage and promote adherence to high standards of ethics, conduct, and professional practice in criminalistics;

e. grant and issue certificates, and/or recognition, in cognizance of special qualifications in criminalistics;

f. cooperate with the several branches of federal and state governments and appropriate governmental and private agencies and organizations; and

g. maintain and furnish to interested persons lists of individuals who have been granted certificates by the ABC.