ARTICLE EIGHT
ETHICS
Section 1 – Code of Ethics
A. The ultimate goal of the Association member should be an objective assessment and evaluation of the crime scene and/or evidence collected.
B. Every member of the Association shall refrain from any misrepresentation of education, experience, training, or areas of expertise.
C. Every member of the Association shall refrain from misrepresenting data upon which an opinion or conclusion is based.
D. Any member of the Association shall first obtain authority from the Board of Directors to issue statements that may appear to represent the position of the Association.
E. Any member of the Association who has knowledge of unethical activity of another member and who does not report such to the Board of Directors will be in violation of the Code of Ethics.
F. No member of the Association shall exhibit personal conduct adverse to the best interests or purposes of the Association.
Section 2 – Ethics Process
A. Any allegation must be submitted to a Board member in writing. All allegations will be forwarded to the President subsequently to the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee within thirty (30) days.
B. Any complaint should include facts and circumstances in support of the allegation that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred.
C. Upon receipt of the allegation, the President and the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee will decide within thirty (30) days if there are sufficient grounds to further investigate the allegation.
1. If it is determined that no violation has occurred, the complainant will be immediately notified in writing. The complainant can appeal this decision to the Board of Directors by notifying the Board in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the issue will be discussed. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total Board is required to override the decision. If this occurs, the complaint will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee for investigation.
2. If it is determined that a violation may have occurred, the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee will immediately notify the accused and the complainant by mail that the matter is under investigation. Both parties will have opportunity to provide the Ethics Committee with any written statements or documentation which they feel may further their cause.
D. Once an investigation has been initiated, there is no course for discontinuation. Upon completion of the investigation, a report will be issued to the Board of Directors. The report and all supporting documentation shall be forwarded to and maintained in a file by the Historian for further reference, even if the allegation or complaint was determined to be unfounded and /or no disciplinary action is taken or the member resigns.
E. The Ethics committee will complete their investigation within sixty (60) days of receiving the complaint. If more time is needed, the Ethics Chairperson will advise the President of the delay and reasons for the delay. The President will have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the investigation is completed in a timely manner. Upon completion of an investigation, the Ethics Committee will submit a report to the Board of Directors. If the Committee feels that a violation has occurred, the report will contain recommendations of possible actions to be taken.
F. For a first offense, the Committee may recommend a letter of reprimand to admonish the Member to cease the offensive behavior.
G. If a second sustained complaint (incident) occurs within one year of a letter of reprimand, the membership shall be revoked, and his/her name shall be removed from the membership roster. That person may re-apply for membership after one year.
H. Any member receiving three (3) or more sustained complaints (incidents), that person shall be expelled from the Association.
I. If the Board of Directors decides that an offense is of sufficient magnitude, the Board may, upon unanimous vote, immediately revoke membership and expel that member.
J. The Board of Directors will have the final decision as to what course of action will be taken. A vote of seven (7) members of the Board in agreement will be required for any disciplinary measure to be implemented.
K. The accused member will be notified in writing within five (5) working days of any decisions of the Board of Directors. If any disciplinary measures are implemented as a result of an investigation, the member may appeal the Board’s decision to the general membership. The appeal intention must be made in writing within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the Board’s actions. Any appeal will be discussed at the next business meeting of the general membership and a three-fourths (3/4) vote o those members present at the meeting will be required to overrule the Board’s actions. Only Voting Members will be allowed to vote on matters of ethics.