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In November of 1970, a forum on current problems in Criminalistics was held in Columbus, Ohio. This event was sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation Laboratory and the Battelle Memorial Institute. It was during this time that John P. Klosterman proposed the formation of a Midwest Criminalistics Organization. The thirty attendees from the various midwest crime laboratories made plans to meet again to explore the possibility of forming a Midwest Forensic Association. In October of 1971, the Midwest Forensic Analyst Seminar was held in Chicago, Illinois. This function was attended by 77 individuals representing 18 states which included federal, state, regional and municipal crime laboratories as well as educators from three universities. It was during this seminar, on October 8, 1971 that the attendees agreed to establish the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists. Under provisions of temporary bylaws MAFS elected John Klosterman as its first President. It was May 4, 1972 in Cincinnati, Ohio when charter membership was approved for 80 persons and the amended temporary bylaws became the permanent bylaws of the organization, MAFS.
The purpose of MAFS is to encourage the exchange of ideas and information within the forensic sciences by improving contacts between people and laboratories engaged in forensic science. MAFS supports and stimulates research and development of new and/or improved techniques, and works to promote the improvement of professional expertise of persons working in the field of forensic science through education, scientific seminars and research grants.
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