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Scientific Working Group for Forensic Anthropology (SWGANTH)

Bylaws

Issue Date: 05/25/2011

Revision: 1

SWGANTH Bylaws

Article I

Name and Objective

Section 1. 

The name of the organization shall be the Scientific Working Group for [Forensic] Anthropology, 

herein referred to as SWGANTH.

Section 2. 

The purpose of the SWGANTH shall be:

A. To develop consensus best-practice guidelines and establish minimum standards for the 

 Forensic Anthropology discipline.

B. To disseminate SWGANTH guidelines, studies, and other findings that may be of 

 benefit to the forensic community.

Section 3. 

The objectives of SWGANTH shall be:

A. To recommend and disseminate discipline guidelines for quality assurance and 

 quality control;

B. To provide guidelines and identify minimum standards and not to mandate policy;

C. To discuss, share and exchange ideas regarding forensic analytical methods, 

 protocols and research;

D. To bring together organizations and/or individuals actively pursuing relevant 

 analytical methods for the purpose of exchanging and disseminating information;

E. To cooperate with other national and international organizations in developing 

 relevant standards; and

F. To monitor and disseminate research and technology related to the discipline.

 
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Article II

Membership

Section 1. Composition of the Board

A governing board (hereinafter, the Board) shall be composed of members representative of the 

diverse academic pedigrees, experience, and knowledge in the discipline. At a minimum, 

members should hold a post-baccalaureate degree in Anthropology (or administratively 

equivalent field) with training or experience in Forensic Anthropology. 

A. The Board shall consist of no more than 25 members and/or organizational 

 representatives. The composition shall reflect the major practitioners of forensic 

 anthropology, e.g. those working in government laboratories, medical examiner’s 

 offices, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, professional 

 organizations, and as private consultants. 

B. New members may be nominated by any SWGANTH Board member and require a 

 2/3 majority vote for confirmation. 

C. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as an agency, is a permanent member 

 of the SWGANTH Board and may appoint up to two (2) representatives, who will 

 serve in their official capacities representing the interests of the FBI.

 Representatives of this organization will hold two proxy votes for the purpose of 

 conducting SWGANTH business.

D. The Department of Defense Central Identification Laboratory (DoD CIL), as an 

 agency, is a permanent member of the SWGANTH Board and may appoint up to 

 four (4) representatives. Representatives of this organization will hold four proxy 

 votes for the purpose of conducting SWGANTH business.

E. The American Board of Forensic Anthropology, as an organization, is a permanent 

 Board member and is represented by the current-year President of that organization. The 

 representative of this organization will hold one proxy vote for 

 the purpose of conducting SWGANTH business.

F. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as an organization, is a permanent 

Board member and may appoint up to one (1) representative. The representative of this 

organization will hold one proxy vote for the purpose of conducting SWGANTH business.

Section 2. Terms of Membership

A. Board members shall serve three (3) year terms, beginning with the first meeting after his or 

her election, except at the onset of term limits, at which time approximately one-half of the 

existing Board will serve a one (1) year term, and approximately one-half of the existing 

Board will serve a two (2) year term.

B. If the Board is considering re-election of a member, the Chair shall contact the member to 

determine his or her interest in continuing membership.

C. The membership roster shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board. As vacancies occur, 

the Chair will determine the need to elect new Board Members.
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Section 3. Termination of Membership

A. Non-permanent Board membership may be terminated only if such termination is 

 initiated by a Board member and must be confirmed by a minimum of 2/3 

 majority vote of the Board. Termination of Board membership may occur for the following 

 reasons:

1. Inability or unwillingness to attend Board meetings

2. Inability or unwillingness to contribute to work products

3. Failure to adhere to Bylaws

4. Finding of an ethical violation

B. An individual Board member may withdraw (resign) from the SWG by giving 

 written notice to the Chair.

 

Article III

Officers and their Duties

Section 1. Officers

The officers shall be the Chair of SWGANTH Board, the Vice-Chair, and Chairs of any 

established Committees.

Section 2. Chair of SWGANTH

A. Duties: The Chair shall preside over meetings and, to the extent consistent with his or her 

 official duties, promote the objectives of SWGANTH. In addition, the Chair shall establish

 Committees as deemed necessary

B. Terms of office: The Chair of the SWGANTH Board (hereinafter, Chair) shall be 

 elected for a four-year term, and may not serve more that two (2) four-year 

 terms consecutively. The election requires a quorum of Board representatives 

 and the candidate achieving a majority, or holding a plurality, of votes will be 

 elected. The incumbent Chair is permitted to vote in the election of a successor.

 The first term of the first SWGANTH Chair shall be for two years; thereafter it shall be 

 for four years.

C. Vacancies: If at any time during a Chair's tenure, that person is temporarily 

 unable to serve, the Vice-Chair shall serve as Chair during the 

 period of absence. In the event of the Chair's resignation or an inability to serve for a 

 period in excess of six (6) months, a successor will be elected. If the incumbent 

 is unavailable at the time of this election, the Vice-Chair shall call a meeting to elect a new 

 Chair.

D. In the event that the Chair is an organizational representative, 

 he or she shall become non-permanent members for the duration of their 

 appointment.

Section 3. Vice-Chair of SWGANTH
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A. Duties: The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair, monitor Board membership, provide 

 official correspondence at the discretion of the Chair, communicate minutes and other 

 meeting-related materials to the membership, and manage Committees established by the 

 Chair to promote the objectives of SWGANTH.

B. Terms of Office: The Vice-Chair shall be elected by the Board and serve a four-

 year term and be subject to re-election. The election requires a quorum of Board 

 representatives and the candidate achieving a majority, or holding a plurality, of votes will be 

 elected. The incumbent Vice-Chair of the SWGANTH Board is permitted to vote in 

 the election of a successor.

C. Vacancies: If at any time during a Vice-Chair’s tenure, that person is temporarily unable to 

 serve, the Chair of SWGANTH shall designate any other Board member to serve as Vice-

 Chair during the period of absence. In the event of the Vice-Chair’s resignation or an 

 inability to serve for a period in excess of six (6) months, a successor will be elected to serve 

 out the remaining term. 

D. In the event that the Vice-Chair is an organizational representative, 

 he or she shall become non-permanent members for the duration of their 

 appointment.

 

Article IV

Meetings

Section 1. 

The SWGANTH Board shall have at least one (1) official meeting per year. A meeting will be 

considered official when a quorum is present in person or proxy. Remote attendance (e.g., 

conference call, video teleconference) shall count toward seating a quorum.

Section 2. 

The Chair may call for additional meetings at any time. Consideration will be given to the 

sponsor (FBI) and co-sponsor (DoD CIL) for facilitation and funding approval.

Section 3. 

To the extent possible, notice of the meetings will be communicated to each representative at 

least 30 days before the meeting date. Meeting dates should be posted on the SWGANTH web 

site.

Section 4. 

Meetings will consist of SWGANTH Board members. Invited visitors may attend meetings at the 

discretion of the Chair.

Section 5.
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Each meeting will have a Recording Secretary, appointed by the Chair. The Recording Secretary 

will maintain a list of meeting attendance, determine whether a quorum is present, and record the 

meeting minutes. This information will forwarded to the Vice-Chair following the meeting.

Article V

Committees

Section 1. 

Committees shall be established on an ad hoc basis to address the business of the SWGANTH 

and will include at least two (2) Board members. 

Section 2. 

The Committee Chair shall be a Board member appointed by the SWGANTH Board Chair. The 

Committee Chair’s appointment will be for the duration of the Committee business but not to 

exceed a two-year term and may be re-appointed. 

Section 3. 

The Committee Chairs are encouraged to enlist the aid of members of the forensic community in 

the development of proposals to be brought before the Board. 

A. Enlisted Committee members that are not members of the Board, but who are 

 aiding in Committee business, shall be known as Advisory members. 

B. Advisory members are encouraged to participate in drafting proposals for review 

 by the Board, but do not have voting privileges during Board meetings.

C. Advisory members serve at the discretion of the Committee Chair.

Section 4. 

Committees may solicit input and receive commentary from non-members of the Board:

A. When appropriate, draft documents shall be placed on the secure SWGANTH web 

 site at least 30 days prior to the SWGANTH meeting date where finalization of the 

 document will occur, and/or

B. Mailings, either electronic or hard copy, can be sent to recognized laboratories 

 routinely carrying out the particular discipline at least 30 days prior to the 

 SWGANTH meeting date, where finalization of the document will occur.

Section 5. 

The Chair of the SWGANTH Board may establish other committees as he or she deems 

appropriate to aid in the business of the SWGANTH. 

 
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Article VI

Decision Making

Section 1. 

Decisions regarding the adoption of Guidelines and on the overall method of operation of the 

SWGANTH shall be made by the Board members.

 

Article VII

Voting

Section 1. 

Sixty percent (60%) of the SWGANTH Board members, including the Board Chair and ViceChair (or their designees), are required to constitute a quorum. A quorum of the members shall 

be required in order to call a meeting to order and to conduct business.

A. Each voting member shall have one vote.

B. Each permanent member shall have the designated number of proxy votes.

C. Except as otherwise specified, all motions require a 2/3 majority vote of 

 attending members for passage.

Section 2. 

At the discretion of the Board Chair, votes may be cast via mail or email. All other conditions of 

voting will apply.

Article VIII

Amendments to the Bylaws

Section 1. 

To the extent possible, proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be submitted to the Chair of the 

SWGANTH Board 45 days prior to a scheduled vote and the membership will receive proposed 

amendments from the Secretary at least 30 days prior to a vote.

Section 2. 

Amendments to Bylaws shall require a 2/3 majority vote of the entire Board.
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Article IX

Changes to Existing Guidelines

Section 1. 

Procedure.

A. Changes to existing guidelines must be submitted to any Board member in 

 writing and contain the following information:

1. Document title

2. Requestor's name

3. Laboratory (or Institution) name

4. Laboratory (or Institution) address

5. Telephone number

6. Change from (Note the document section number)

7. Change to

8. Reason for change

B. The contacted Board member shall forward a copy of the request to the Chair of 

 the SWGANTH Board. 

C. The proposal may be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled 

 SWGANTH meeting for consideration or scheduled for an electronic vote. If the 

 request cannot be immediately addressed, an ad hoc committee may be formed.

 The Board may provide recommendations for Committee Advisory members as 

 needed. 

D. Recommendations from Committees will be provided to all SWGANTH members 

 at least 30 days before the date on which they will be voted.

E. At those SWGANTH meetings where proposed changes have been received and 

 await action, the Committee may meet prior to the beginning of the general 

 Board meeting to make final recommendations regarding the changes.

F. The recommendations of the Committee and the record of the request will be 

 presented to the Board membership for final vote.

G. SWGANTH members will be provided an opportunity to discuss both the proposed 

 changes and the Committee recommendations and to vote on the final 

 acceptance of the proposed changes.

Section 2.

SWGANTH products will expire as endorsed SWGANTH products after five (5) from the issue 

date. In anticipation of expiration, the product shall be reviewed for re-adoption without 

amendment, re-adoption with amendment, replacement, or abandonment. 

 
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Article X

Communication

Section 1. 

Official communications shall be conveyed only by the Board Chair or a designee.

Section 2. 

The SWGANTH shall have a method of communication by electronic means such as the Internet 

or email. Board members shall have a secure password protected site for private 

communications.

Section 3. 

Guidelines and approved documents will be published on the public SWGANTH website.

Section 4. 

Advisory members shall have access to draft guidelines and approved meeting minutes. 

 

Article XI

Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. 

The simplest mechanism governing meetings will be used. 

Section 2. 

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be referred to where deemed necessary.