International Association for Identification (IAI)
The International Association for Identification (IAI) is a prominent organization dedicated to the advancement of forensic science techniques primarily focused on identification purposes. Established in October 1915 in California as the International Association for Criminal Identification, it has evolved into the oldest and largest professional association of forensic specialists globally, with over 7,000 members across the United States and in more than 60 countries. The IAI plays a critical role in education and certification in various forensic disciplines, including fingerprint analysis, blood spatter examination, and forensic photography.
Certification programs offered by the IAI require both classroom training and practical experience, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to handle forensic investigations. The organization is instrumental in developing new forensic identification techniques and collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to establish comprehensive guidelines for evidence handling and analysis. It also addresses emerging trends in forensic technology, such as digital evidence and imaging technologies, while continuing to refine traditional forensic methods.
In addition to its certification efforts, the IAI hosts an annual conference that includes educational workshops and technical presentations, fostering ongoing learning within the forensic community. The organization also publishes the *Journal of Forensic Identification*, which features articles authored by international forensic experts, further contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in the field.
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Subject Terms
International Association for Identification (IAI)
DATE: Formed in October, 1915
IDENTIFICATION: Organization of professionals dedicated to advancing forensic science techniques used for identification purposes.
SIGNIFICANCE: The International Association for Identification is the oldest established organization of forensic specialists involved in education, certification, and the creation of guidelines used by law-enforcement agencies around the world.
Started in California as the International Association for Criminal Identification in 1915, the International Association for Identification (IAI) has grown to be the largest professional forensic organizations in the world, with more than seven thousand members in all fifty U.S. states and sixty countries. The IAI provides certification and recertification programs in areas specific to forensic investigations, including fingerprint collection and analysis, blood pattern examination, investigation, footwear and tire-track examination, forensic photography, and forensic art. Requirements for certification in any given area typically include both classroom training and practical field and lab experience. For example, to be eligible for blood spatter certification, an applicant must have at least a week of formal training and at least three years of practical on-the-job experience.
The IAI is involved in the development and advancement of new forensic identification techniques and sponsors groups of experts who work closely with law-enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Guidelines established by the IAI cover areas such as detection, collection, evaluation, identification, reporting, and storage of forensic evidence. Working groups have also been formed around relatively new developments in forensics, such as imaging technologies and digital evidence. More traditional areas, such as latent prints and blood spatter, continue to be studied as well, as the investigation techniques related to these areas change and advance. As new methods of identification are developed, the IAI becomes involved in creating guidelines and in providing specific training in the techniques related to each type of forensic evidence.
Among the functions of the IAI is the training of forensic scientists, and the organization provides a number of educational opportunities designed to meet the needs of the forensic community. It holds an annual conference that combines educational workshops, technical presentations, and certification training into a weeklong event. In addition, local chapters of the IAI sponsor courses related to specific certification areas throughout the year. The IAI also publishes the bimonthly Journal of Forensic Identification, which features informative articles written by forensic authorities from around the world.
Bibliography
"IAI History." International Association for Identification, 2024, www.theiai.org/iai‗history.php. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
"International Association for Identification." IAI, www.theiai.org/. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
McCartney, Carole. Forensic Identification and Criminal Justice: Forensic Science, Justice, and Risk. Portland, Oreg.: Willan, 2006.
Polski, Joseph P. “The Science Behind Forensic Science.” Science 304, no. 5669 (2004): 389.
Thompson, Tim, and Sue Black, eds. Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, 2007.