AFTE History

The AFTE Historian is responsible for preserving any and all documents, photographs, and records related to the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners meetings, seminars and business whether they are paper or electronic. These records shall include but are not restricted to such things as the AFTE Journal, meeting minutes, presentation handouts, photographs or records kept by individuals that deal with the association and/or forensic firearm identification.

In honor of our 35th year, one of our Founding Fathers, Stanton O. Berg, wrote an extensive history of the early days before the formation of AFTE and the “early years”, to provide our members with a treatise of our birth and development. He highlights biographical information of the other Founding Fathers and significant events throughout our history.

Reminiscences of the Pre and Early AFTE Years - Stanton O. Berg

In 1999, Dr. James Hamby wrote an article entitled “The History of Firearm and Toolmark Identification”.  This article was published in the AFTE Journal, 30th Anniversary Edition, Volume 31, Number 3, Summer 1999.  Excerpts from that article relating to the history of AFTE were combined for historical record-keeping purposes.

AFTE History - Dr. James Hamby

Historical Data Key Word Search

The AFTE Historian Committee has completed the compiling of the names and years of service of those people who have served on the AFTE Board of Directors and AFTE Committees.

Please note that the names of some committees have changed over the years.