Introduction
This code is intended to be a guide for the ethical professional conduct of each individual worker in the field of forensic and security metrology and the work he/she performs. It is not to be construed that these principles are immutable laws, nor that they are all-inclusive. Instead, they are to represent a general set of standards which each worker should continually strive to meet throughout his/her career. It is understood that each individual case is different and unique unto itself and varies, just as the evidence with which each examiner is concerned, and no set of guides and rules will precisely fit every occasion. A failure to meet or maintain certain aspects of these standards will justifiably cast doubt upon an individual's fitness for this type of work. Serious or repeated infractions of these principles may be regarded as inconsistent with membership in this association.
It is the duty of any person practicing the profession of capturing spatial data and possibly performing various analytical studies based on physical and forensic facts to serve the interests of justice to the best of his/her ability at all times. All the scientific means and knowledge at his/her command will be utilized to ascertain all the significant physical facts relative to the matters under investigation. Having made factual determinations, he/she must interpret and visually interpret his/her findings. If requested, he/she will add all the physical evidence and forensic findings of other experts in order to visually display the summary, combining a variety of expert results. This may enable him/her to arrive at opinions or conclusions pertaining to the analysis performed. These findings of fact, conclusions and opinions should then be reported with all the accuracy and skill which the examiner/expert possesses.
In carrying out these functions, the examiner/expert will be guided by those practices and procedures generally recognized within the profession to be consistent with a high level of professional ethics. The motives, methods and actions of the examiner/expert shall at all times be above reproach, in good taste and consistent with proper moral conduct.