Associate is the membership category for those who have recently graduated or who are in the early stages of their forensic science career (less than 2 years). Applications from those who have completed undergraduate or post-graduate degrees in forensic science, or who have degrees in related subjects such as Chemistry or Biology, are welcome.
Associate Membership benefits
This category of membership carries the post-nominal ACSFS and is an instant indication to prospective employers that the holder is serious about forensic science and takes an interest in the profession as a whole. Associate Membership provides a clear and direct route through to full Membership and brings the Society into line with other professional bodies who have a graduate career progression route in place for their subject specific discipline. Follow the link at the bottom of this page to see a full list of Associate benefits.
Upgrading from Affiliate to Associate
If you are an Affiliate member who graduated less than 2 years ago you are eligible to apply for an upgrade to Associate. Please email membership@csofs.org to let us know that you wish to upgrade, and send in a copy of your degree certificate. If you have completed an accredited course - or if you are currently studying on an accredited post-graduate course - approval for the upgrade will be automatic. If not, you may still upgrade but your request will be reviewed by the Chair of Membership & Ethics Committee and we will ask you for the names and email addresses of two referees, also. Depending on their work status, upgraders may be asked to pay a top-up subscription to take them from the current Affiliate rate to the current Associate rate.
Upgrading from Student member to Associate.
Undergraduates should request to upgrade as soon as their course has finished. There is no need to wait for graduation, just send your results confirmation email to membership@csofs.org
Student members on accredited courses: Student members who contact us when their course ends will get a free upgrade to Associate and this will last until their expiry date - at which point they will normally renew their membership at the Associate rate. If they've been student members for at least 6 months before their course finishes they will also get 3 months extra membership at no charge.
Student members on non-accredited courses: Student members who contact us when their course ends should also send in their course certificate or transcript of results, and the names and email addresses of two referees (usually course tutors). Their request to upgrade will be reviewed by the Chair of our Membership & Ethics Committee and they will be upgraded to Affiliate membership while their upgrade is being assessed. If their application is approved by the Chair, they will be asked to pay a top-up subscription to take them from the membership rate they have already paid that year, to their new Associate rate. Those who have been student members for more than 6 months will get 3 months extra membership at no charge.
Our concessionary rate applies to those who are still studying (at post-graduate level) or who are not working and looking for work in forensic science.
Please note that although we encourage you to use your postnominals to describe your membership level once you have been upgraded, you should not use the CSFS logo on any communication or marketing platforms (e.g LinkedIn, Facebook).