First Newsletter - Oct 2025
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the first edition of the AFSA Newsletter that will be circulated every second month. This marks another important milestone in our journey as the African Forensic Science Academy. The purpose of this newsletter is simple: to keep you informed, connected, and engaged with what is happening in our Academy and the wider forensic science community. Each second month, we will share updates on our activities, highlight learning opportunities and publications for members, showcase achievements, and offer a platform where we can continue to learn from one another. Reflecting on the past: In September 2024 we hosted our Inaugural AFSA conference, AFSA2024, where the first General Assembly of AFSA convened in Kigali, Rwanda. Since our launch in March 2023 we have grown from an idea into a thriving community of forensic scientists and practitioners across Africa and beyond. Together, we have already achieved remarkable milestones – including hosting AFSA2024 which brought colleagues and partners from across the world to connect, collaborate, and advance forensic science on the continent.
It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the first edition of the AFSA Newsletter that will be circulated every second month. This marks another important milestone in our journey as the African Forensic Science Academy. The purpose of this newsletter is simple: to keep you informed, connected, and engaged with what is happening in our Academy and the wider forensic science community. Each second month, we will share updates on our activities, highlight learning opportunities and publications for members, showcase achievements, and offer a platform where we can continue to learn from one another. Reflecting on the past: In September 2024 we hosted our Inaugural AFSA conference, AFSA2024, where the first General Assembly of AFSA convened in Kigali, Rwanda. Since our launch in March 2023 we have grown from an idea into a thriving community of forensic scientists and practitioners across Africa and beyond. Together, we have already achieved remarkable milestones – including hosting AFSA2024 which brought colleagues and partners from across the world to connect, collaborate, and advance forensic science on the continent.
After elections the AFSA Board restructured portfolio’s to meet the current needs of AFSA. The new portfolio’s are as follows:
- Dr Antonel OLCKERS – Strategic Projects
- Prof Mehdi BEN KHELIL – Working Groups
- Dr Marise HEYNS – Treasurer & Compliance
- Dr Luchenga Adam MUCHELEN’GANGA – Organisational Development
- Dr Adeyemi ADETIMEHIN – Resource Mobilisation
- SP Japhet ASHIMIRWE – Ex-Officio
- SACP Anthony WALLY – Ex-Officio
Our current membership stands at 312! We set a target for AFSA of 100 new members per year. Since our launch in March 2024 and after 20 months, our membership is as indicated below. We continue to enroll new members regularly and hope that all who received this newsletter will join us in AFSA to make forensic science what it should and can be in Africa! We are incredibly grateful to the African Centre for Medicolegal Systems (ACMS) of the ICRC who made sponsorship available to a large group of our members who was compliant in all but their membership fees.
Membership maintenance and applications are currently still handled by the Administrator of AFSA. Please email [email protected] with enquiries.
Looking ahead, our plans are ambitious. We are committed to strengthening collaborations with institutions across and beyond Africa, expanding opportunities, activating a regular webinar series in 2026, and continuing to position Africa as a hub for forensic science excellence on the global stage.
This is only the beginning, and we are excited to walk this journey together.
Together for Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation in advancing forensic science in Africa.
Together for Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation in advancing forensic science in Africa.
AFSA is exhibiting at the ANZFSS conference this month. Please visit our booth (03) if you are attending the conference, we look forward to seeing you in Melbourne!
We invite and encourage contributions to the newsletter, as well as opportunities that are open to our network that you wish to circulate. Please send full details to [email protected] to be considered for inclusion in our next newsletter.
Warm Regards,
Dr Antonel OLCKERS
AFSA President
On behalf of the AFSA Board
Warm Regards,
Dr Antonel OLCKERS
AFSA President
On behalf of the AFSA Board