AFQAM was started as a regional group for Crime Laboratory quality managers from Southern California. It soon expanded to the midwest as quality managers began to network at meetings and through classes. The founding members decided to meet as a group for the first time in Kansas City, MO in October of 2001. At that time there were 22 “members.” It was at this meeting that the group decided to formally become an organization, complete with by-laws. These original members decided on the name AFQAM. The first official meeting for AFQAM was held in Austin, Texas in October of 2002.
AFQAM has since grown to approximately 250 members, representing the United States and the international forensic community. Members represent local, county, state and federal law enforcement forensic laboratories, as well as private forensic laboratories, national/international forensic accrediting bodies, proficiency test vendors and additional organizations that are dedicated to advancing forensic quality assurance.
Our original organizational logo was designed by one of our founding members, Kathy Wagner. This logo was in use for our organization until 2017. The new logo provides a fresh, modern, and professional organizational identity that will carry us forward into the future.