CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
IN THE
UNITED STATES
The I.A.I.
Latent Print
Certification Board
To Be or Not to Be Certified?
“Hair stylists, taxi cab drivers, school teachers,
lawyers, doctors all require a person be certified
before practicing their chosen field. However, as a
fingerprint examiner, I am allowed to testify in a
criminal trial without holding any type of
certification to show I am qualified. My testimony
has the power to convict, to set free, or even bring
a death sentence and yet virtually no court system
requires me to hold any type of certification.”
Debbie Benningfield
That is until now…..
Recent challenges to the Science of Fingerprints
have brought awareness of the need for examiners
to prove they are qualified in their field.
The Courts have been mandated to be the
“gatekeeper” to ensure those testifying as experts
are indeed qualified to give testimony.
In a recent article by Lisa Steele, a Criminal Defense
lawyer, published in the “Criminal Law Bulletin”,
volume 40, Number 3, titled, “The Defense
Challenge to Fingerprints”, Ms. Steele writes:
Sample Voir-Dire Questions
When you are preparing a challenge to a fingerprint examiner, you will need to know
about his theories and methods. These questions are adapted from an examiners
professional journal discussing vulnerability to cross-examination.
• Do you conduct technical procedures under clearly defined policies and
procedures?
• Did you follow those policies and procedures in your examination?
• Do you know what a peer-reviewed journal is and why it is important?
• Do you regularly read any peer-reviewed journals? Which ones?
• Are you a member of any professional organizations? Which ones?
• What qualifications are required for examiners hired by or assigned
to your unit?
• Can you explain ..error rates.. and their relevance to your testimony?
• Can you explain ..confirmation bias?
• Do you know how to construct a scientifically defensible validation
study?
• In under a minute, can you explain the reasons for and value of validation studies?
• Can you name the last two validation studies your department has conducted
regarding latent prints?
• Do you keep an equipment maintenance log?
• Do you participate in regular, structured proficiency testing? How did you do?
• What is the minimum passing score in your department?
• When you take the test, do you know it is a test?
• Are the problems used in your test harder or easier than the comparisons you
made in this case?
•
ARE YOU CERTIFIED? IF SO, BY WHOM?
• Do you know what SWGFAST is? Do you know how often it meets?
• Is your organization implementing SWGFAST guidelines?
• What do you think of the SWGFAST guidelines? Are they too restrictive,
not restrictive enough, or about right?
• Is your department using the ACE-V method? If not, what methodology are you
and why is it superior?
• Could you define ACE-V for the jury?
• Can you explain ACE-V premises and processes in about three minutes?
• How many levels of ridge detail are posited in ACE-V?
• What level of detail is most commonly used to effect fingerprint identifications?
IAI LATENT PRINT
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
International Association for
Identification Certification Programs
Each program consists of a rigorous educational process, a certification
procedure, and re-certification requirements. Each is administered by a
certification board comprised of experts in the discipline. All programs operate
under a written set of procedures approved by the IAI’s Board of Directors to
ensure compliance with broad IAI goals and policies. Certification Programs are
open to anyone who meets the requirements, and is not limited to those in the
United States. Contact the individual Certification Board Secretaries to get the
most up-to-date information and requirements.
Effective May 1, 2005 the fee for all IAI Certification and re-certification
applications is $150.00. All certifications and re-certifications are now effective
for five years. This change was approved by the IAI’s Board of Directors during
the 2004 St. Louis IAI Educational Conference. Changes to the re-certification
process regarding training hours/credits are now in effect. Contact the Secretary
of the Certification Board of interest to determine what their particular changes
are.
APPLICATION PROCESS
• Make sure you meet the requirements first.
• Complete the application and ensure all
required documents are sent with the
application.
• Your State Division will review application and
make recommendation to secretary of LPE
Certification Board.
APPLICATION PROCESS
• Your name will be posted in the IAI Journal
asking for comments about applicant.
• If applicant meets qualification, the LP Board
Secretary will contact State Division LP
Committee who in-turn will contact applicant to
set up test date.
• Do not allow any relative to proctor your
exam.
TECHNICAL TRAINING REQUIRED:
Minimum of 80 hours of formal training in latent print
matters.
BASIC EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Minimum of two (2) years full-time experience in the
comparison and identification of latent print material and
related matters. If less than full-time experience for the
given time period is possessed, times must be accumulated
to reach an acceptable minimum.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
A Bachelor's Degree plus two (2) years full-time
experience as required by Section 3.C.
OR
An Associate Degree (or documentation of 60 semester
hours or 90 quarter hours of college credits) plus 3
years full-time experience as a latent print examiner
equals the Bachelor's Degree requirement.
OR
Four (4) years full-time experience as a latent print
examiner required by Section 3.C equals the Bachelor's
Degree requirement.
EXAMS:
Comparison of 15 latent prints with inked prints. Must
correctly identify 12 of the latent prints with NO
erroneous identifications. Passing score: 80%
• all can be individualize (use sticky notes);
• analyze each print and put in stacks of fingers, palms
and impressions;
• reserve time at end of exam to review for accuracy
Pattern Interpretation of 35 Inked Impressions. Passing
score: 90%
True and false, multiple choice questions relative to the
history of fingerprints, pattern interpretation and latent
prints. Passing score: 85%
COURT TESTIMONY
Either oral board testing and/or presentation of a case for
review to include latent print, inked print, charted
enlargements and court qualifying questions and answers.
If the applicant has already testified in a court of law as
an expert, the applicant may submit a case for review, or
may submit to the oral board testing.
If the applicant has not given testimony in a court of law
as an expert, the applicant shall be required to undergo
oral board testing.
PASS/FAIL REQUIREMENTS
Anyone failing the test for any reason other
than an erroneous identification must wait 6
months from the test date to reapply.
Anyone failing the test by making one or more
erroneous identifications must wait 1 year before
they can reapply to take the test.
Comparison of 15 latent prints with inked prints.
Must correctly identify 12 of the latent prints
with NO erroneous identifications. Passing
score: 80%
Pattern Interpretation of 35 Inked Impressions.
Passing score: 90%
True and false, multiple choice questions
relative to the history of fingerprints, pattern
interpretation and latent prints. Passing score:
85%
RECENT CHANGES TO LATENT PRINT
CERTIFICATION EXAM PROCESS:
Use of Comparator now allowed; however
it may not be able to reproduce or store
information in any manner. Applicant
provides comparator.
Time limit to complete exam has been
increased from 6.5 hours to 8 hours.
May take individual exams in any order and
are no longer required to complete one
before beginning another.
STATS (as of 12-31-2007)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF CERTIFIED EXAMINERS: 824
• PASS RATE SINCE OCTOBER 2005 (test time increased
from 6.5 to 8 hours): 71.19%
• PASS RATE FOR 2007: 80.82%
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING
THE EXAM:
•Are you ready
Have you studied the recommended
reading material.
Have you reviewed “searching smart”
techniques.
Do you have enough time “under the
glass” comparing prints.
Are you sensitive to noise, if so you may not want to sit
for the exam in a group setting.
Bring the proper equipment.
Pointers
Magnifiers (I recommend at least a 5 or 6x power)
If you intend on using a comparator, let the proctor
know in advance. You must provide it, and make
sure it does not have any duplication abilities.
Check the lighting conditions of where you will be taking
the exam. Make sure you have sufficient lighting. Bring
extra lighting such as a lamp if you think you will need
it.
Get enough sleep the night before the exam.
BE POSITIVELY PREPARED!
IAI
RECERTIFICATION
Applicants for recertification must be working in
the field of forensic science.
Must provide documentation that evidences the
required amount of recertification continuing
Education/Professional Development credits as
specified and approved by the Individual
Certification Boards. These credits must have
been earned over a 5 year period since the last
certification/recertification period.
Credits may be earned during the 5 year period by
accumulating credits for various activities, which are
described as follows:
• Registered attendance at the IAI Annual Conference or
regional conference or other forensic meetings recognized by
the Certification Board. 2 credits per half day (4 hours) with a
maximum of 75% of credits.
• Presentation of a paper – 5 credits for each different paper.
maximum of 50% of credits.
• Participation in a panel discussion/plenary discussion/poster
presentation - 5 credits for each, maximum of 50% of credits.
• Conduct a training workshop or seminar for forensic
examiners within the forensic disciplines - 5 credits for each
half-day presentation - maximum of 50% of the credits needed
for recertification.
• Conduct a training workshop for non-examiners - 3 credits
for each half-day presentation with a maximum of 25% of the
credits needed for recertification.
• Articles published in board recognized forensic journals up
to 10 credits per article - maximum of 25% of the credits
needed for recertification.
• Attendance at, or participation in, a course or workshop or
in-service training recognized by the individual Certification
Board at two credits per half day (4 hours) maximum of 75%
of the credits needed for recertification.
• Holding an office or serving on a committee in a forensic
society recognized by the Certification Board or performing
an official service for a forensic journal publication - 5
credits earned for each year served - maximum of 25% of the
credits needed for recertification.
• Acting as the primary provider of on-the-job training for
novice forensic examiners - 5 credits for each year in which
training is provided - maximum of 25% of the credits needed
for recertification.
• Providing a written summary (minimum of 250 words) of an
article written by another forensic examiner or related
professional and published within the last 5 years - 2 credits
per article allowed - with a maximum of 40% of the credits
needed for recertification.
• Any other activity that an applicant for recertification feels
that the specific Certification Board should consider, such as
teaching forensic related college courses, research and
presentations to the general public, etc. with a maximum of
30% during the 5-year period.
• Full-time forensic casework, i.e. more than 50% of job
duties conducting forensic science examinations - 4
credits/year allowed.
BREAKDOWN OF CURRENT RECERTIFICATIONTRAINING CREDITS
NEEDED BY THE INDIVIDUAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS:
BLOODSTAIN PATTERN ANAYLSIS = 50 Credits
CRIME SCENE = 80 Credits
FOOTWEAR = 50 Credits
FORENSIC ART = 50 Credits
LATENT PRINTS = 80 Credits
PHOTOGRAPHY = 80 Credits
TENPRINT = 80 Credits
An applicant for recertification may also be
required to successfully complete a practical
examination/proficiency test provided by the
Certification Board. Recertification testing and
results are guided by the appropriate section(s)
of the individual Certification Board.
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING IAI
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
• You do not have to be a member of the IAI to be certified.
• All complaints against a certified examiner will be
forwarded to the IAI President. Complaints must be
properly documented by the person filing the complaint.
See the IAI Operations Manual for complete detail regarding
filing a complaint.
• Certification Boards can not compel an agency to provide
documentation when investigating a complaint.
www.theiai.org
QUESTIONS?