SWAFDE is a regional organization of Forensic Document Examiners, with membership throughout the United States. Any person, regardless of sex, race, creed, or national origin who is a United States citizen and whose primary profession is that of a Forensic Document Examiner and whose primary place of employment is within the United States, is eligible for membership as long as he/she otherwise meets all of the requirements as set forth in SWAFDE's Bylaws and Directives.
Please note that prospective members must either practice Forensic Document Examination as their primary profession or be in a training program under the guidance of an experienced examiner whose qualifications to train have been approved by the Board of Directors. New members must be sponsored by an Active member of SWAFDE. For more information, please contact the membership chairperson.
Membership Categories
- Active: a Forensic Document Examiner who has been an Associate Member of SWAFDE for at least three years and has presented a paper at the "technical session" of a regular SWAFDE meeting. Active members are required to attend at least one meeting every three years and meet the participation requirements of SWAFDE for this category.
- Associate: a Forensic Document Examiner who has completed a minimum two-year full-time approved training program or its equivalent. An Associate member must attend at least two SWAFDE meetings every three years and meet the participation requirements of SWAFDE for this category.
- Trainee Affiliate: an individual who is in the process of fulfilling the requirements to become an Associate Member while being supervised by an examiner whose qualifications to train have been approved by the Board of Directors. A Trainee Affiliate must attend at least two SWAFDE meetings every three years and must successfully complete a two-year full-time training program or its equivalent.
- Contributing: an individual whose discipline is closely allied to the field of forensic document examination and is recommended for membership by a member of the Board of Directors. A Contributing Member shall attend at least one SWAFDE meeting every three years and meet the participation requirements of SWAFDE for this category.
- Emeritus: a former Forensic Document Examiner who has been an active member of SWAFDE but is no longer practicing in the field of forensic document examination. Emeritus membership is granted upon recommendation by a member of the Board of Directors and approval by the general membership.
Officers
William J. Flynn
President
Kathleen Annunziata Nicolaides
Secretary
Barbara L. Torres
Treasurer
Other Board Members
James A. Tarver
Immediate Past President
Lisa Stenback
Membership/Credentials Chairperson
Regional Representatives
Janis S. Tweedy
Eastern Region
Alan M. Kreitl
Mountain Region
Karen Oroku
Northern Pacific Region
Michael T. Butorac
Southern Pacific Region
Other Positions
William J. Flynn
Historian
Kathleen Annunziata Nicolaides
Newsletter Editor
Past Presidents
James A. Tarver
2005-2007
Melvin Henry Cavanaugh, Jr.
2003-2005
Lloyd W. Cunningham
2001-2003
Mark A. Huntzinger
1999-2001
David L. Oleksow
1997-1999
George J. Throckmorton
1995-1997
Verle R. Truman
1993-1995
Thomas E. Van Valkenburgh
1991-1993
Mary A. Riker
1989-1991
Floyd I. Whiting
1987-1989
George W. Lewis
1985-1987
William J. Flynn
1983-1985
James L. "John" Hale, Jr.
1981-1983
Charter Members
Karen Chiarodit
William J. Flynn
Manuel Gonzales
Bruce P. Greenwood
Michael P. Gryzik
James L. Hale, Jr.
Sandra L. Homewood
Mark Huntzinger
William L. Leaver
David L. Oleksow
J.D. Purkiss
Max W. Stayrook
George J. Throckmorton
Tom VanValkenburgh
Floyd Whiting