ABFA (American Board of Forensic Anthropology)
Definition
The US certifying body for forensic anthropologists, established in 1977. Diplomate status requires examination, case documentation, and peer review, and is routinely cited in US expert-witness qualification hearings.
- Established
- 1977
- Country
- United States
- Requirements
- Examination, case documentation, peer review
- Court role
- Routinely cited in expert-witness qualification
Common questions
Why do courts cite ABFA status when qualifying an anthropology expert?+
Because Diplomate status requires passing examination and having case work peer-reviewed, it gives a court a documented, external benchmark of competence to weigh alongside the expert's academic credentials and experience.
Is ABFA certification a legal requirement to testify as a forensic anthropologist in the US?+
No single certification is a universal legal requirement, but ABFA Diplomate status is widely treated as strong evidence of qualification and is frequently raised during Daubert-style admissibility hearings.
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