CERTIFICATION IS A VOLUNTARY PROCEDURE BY WHICH A NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION ATTESTS TO THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO FACILITATE DELIBERATION, RESEARCH STRUCTURING, AND FIELD TESTING EFFORTS OF THE SIX FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH RESEARCH SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT (MEANS TO CONDUCT WORKING RESEARCH AND PLANNING MEETINGS AND THE CAPABILITY TO PROMULGATE RESEARCH FINDINGS). THE BOARD OF EACH DISCIPLINE AIMS TO DEVISE A PRACTICAL AND EQUITABLE SYSTEM AVAILABLE TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING QUALIFIED FORENSIC SCIENTISTS. THE STATUS OF THE PROGRAM FROM OCTOBER 3, 1977, TO APRIL 2, 1979, IS REVIEWED. FIGURES ARE PROVIDED, AND FOUR CRIMINALISTICS QUESTIONNAIRES PERTINENT TO THE CERTIFICATION EFFORT ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)