Letter to the Editor: The International Forensic Strategic Alliance - A model in global forensic collaboration

The International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) began as a bilateral agreement in 2004 between forensic science laboratory directors in the United States and Australia/New Zealand. IFSA has since grown to include six regional forensic science director networks involving 120 countries and 639 forensic service providers, and three strategic partners. IFSA focuses on providing global leadership and collaboration initiatives including developing Minimum Requirements Documents for emerging forensic service providers, identifying research and development priorities to promote critical forensic science research, and identifying and responding to emerging issues. This paper outlines the origins and development of IFSA, achievements and current activities as a successful model of global forensic collaboration.