AFIP Heritage

160+ years of forensic science — from the Army Medical Museum to the Alliance for Forensic Integrity & Provenance.

1862

Army Medical Museum Founded

Surgeon General William A. Hammond established the Army Medical Museum to collect and study pathological specimens during the Civil War.

1946

Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

The museum expanded into a full research and consultation institute, serving all military branches and civilian institutions.

1955

National Museum of Health and Medicine

AFIP established the museum housing one of the world's most significant collections of medical and pathological specimens.

1991

Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory

AFDIL was created within AFIP, pioneering forensic DNA identification for military remains and mass disaster victims.

2005

BRAC Closure Announced

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closing AFIP. Functions began transitioning to the Joint Pathology Center.

2011

AFIP Formally Decommissioned

After 149 years of service, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology was formally decommissioned.

2026

Alliance for Forensic Integrity & Provenance

AFIP is relaunched, carrying the forensic tradition into the digital age — applying forensic-grade analysis to AI-generated content and synthetic media.

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National Museum of Health and Medicine

One of the world's most significant collections of medical and pathological specimens.

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Health Museums

AFIP's role in preserving health and medical heritage through museum collections.