About Us

In 2002, Dr. John Wallace and Dr. Jeff Tomberlin were attending the Entomological Society of America Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In between sessions, they had a conversation regarding the expense associated with such large conferences and the difficulty for students to attend it, view all presentations on forensic entomology, and meet the researchers involved. Consequently, communication was low between researchers and graduate students.  This conversation inspired them to sit down at a coffee shop armed only with a pen, napkin, and lots of caffeine.  From that hour long conversation, Dr. Tomberlin and Dr. Wallace outlined a conference solely focused on forensic entomology, and it would be the first of its kind in North America. The initial goal was to develop a conference that would include national and international forensic entomologists as well as graduate students.  Therefore, the start was to host a conference.  This became the  North American Forensic Entomology Conference, and the professional organization known as the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA) has grown from the interest and participants of the annual conference.  NAFEA now hosts the annual conference and conducts its annual business meeting during the meetings.  

NAFEA was established with the primary mission to serve as the professional association of forensic entomologists and those interested in the science of forensic entomology.  NAFEA strives to provide a venue for the presentation of research, casework, and cooperative ideas on forensic entomology.  To accomplish its organizational mission, NAFEA has the following objectives:

Objective 1:
To promote the recognition of forensic entomology as an important component of the criminal justice system.

Objective 2:
To exchange ideas and information within the field of forensic entomology and to foster friendship and co-operation among various scientists, law enforcement agencies, and the public throughout the world.

Objective 3:
To encourage a high level of scientific and professional rigor in the field of forensic entomology, by drafting, maintaining and encouraging standard methods and
practices for North American forensic entomologist.

Objective 4:
To facilitate the incorporation of current research and technical development into
established, existing and future practice in forensic entomology.

Objective 5:
To provide a published outlet in the form of a professional newsletter or journal for current research and technological advances in the field of forensic entomology.

Objective 6:
To provide a medium through which ethics of those practicing forensic entomology will be maintained.