CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES

1. CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES The I.A.I. Latent Print Certification Board

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. 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? • 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? • ARE YOU CERTIFIED? IF SO, BY WHOM?

6. IAI LATENT PRINT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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%

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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%

16. 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.

17. 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%

18. 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.

19. 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!

20. IAI RECERTIFICATION

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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

29. QUESTIONS?