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MNIAI
Chartered in 1964, the Minnesota Division of the International Association for Identification (MN IAI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for professionals across Minnesota working in forensic science, crime scene investigation, law enforcement, and the identification disciplines. The MN IAI hosts an annual educational conference offering a variety of relevant and up-to-date training courses designed to provide practical knowledge that professionals can apply directly to their field of work. Our annual educational conference course content is approved by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for licensed peace officers eligible to receive continuing education credits.
As of February 5, 2026, the Minnesota Division of the International Association for Identification (MNIAI) is exempt
from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Pursuant to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 and IRS Rev. Ruling 67-246. Your donation to our organization is tax deductible. Our tax ID is: 32-0840796.
Thank you for contributing to continuing education for law enforcement and forensic science personnel in Minnesota.
2027 EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE INFO:
September 29th - October 1st at
The Inn on Lake Superior - Duluth, MN
More details to follow in the coming months!
Some photos from the 2026 Conference.
students Lily Jorgenson, Anthony Delarco and Aliya Appelsies.
2026 Fall Educational Conference Sponsors
Click on the images to go to their websites
Conference Sponsorship Options
Another option for Sponsorship is Monetary Only. Click here to go to that page. Complete the form and select your preferred option then click on the Pay Now button underneath your choice. Options range from $100.00-$500.00.
The MNIAI thanks our Sponsors for their participation in whatever capacity they choose to use!
Purchase ad space by clicking here. Options are 12-month ads, 6-month ads and 3-month ads.
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News and Info From the IAI
The IAI
Keeping You Informed
Click the image above to go to the IAI home page.
Free Webinars for IAI Members
Non-Members will be invoiced
The International Association for Identification, in conjunction with its official training partner, Tri-Tech Forensics, is presenting a series of free webinars for IAI members only.
For further information and registration instructions, log into your IAI Member Area at https://theiai.org and go to the Special Offers for IAI Members section where you'll find a Free Webinars button.
Should you have any questions or if you experience technical difficulties, please contact Phil Sanfilippo at phil@tritechusa.com.
Chemical Enhancement of Blood Evidence
Instructed by Sharon Plotkin, CCSI
Description:
This one-hour webinar provides crime scene and law enforcement personnel with an overview of chemical enhancement and detection techniques used to locate, visualize, and document blood evidence that may be faint, altered, cleaned, or otherwise difficult to detect. Participants will review commonly used chemical reagents, appropriate applications, safety considerations, and best practices for preserving and documenting enhanced blood evidence during crime scene investigations.
Date and Time: Mon, Sep 21, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
Tuition: Free for IAI Members (Non-members will be invoiced $89 each.)
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop(c) Image Clarification
Instructed by Aaron Matson
Description:
- Introduction to Forensic Image Enhancement
- Understanding Digital Images & Video Basics
- Common Enhancement Techniques
- Workflow and Best Practices
- Courtroom & Legal Considerations
- Limitations and Ethics
Date and Time: Wed, Oct 14, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Tuition: Free for IAI Members (Non-members will be invoiced $89 each.)
Facial Identification - Where it's been and where it's heading...
Instructed by Steven Johnson, IAI Past President
Description:
Facial Recognition (FR) and Facial Identification (FI) remain an international subject of discussion and controversy. In this context, FR refers to the automated systems and algorithms utilized in multiple scenarios, while FI refers to the discipline of image-based comparisons of human facial features. Within FI, there are multiple types of comparisons, but we will focus on the reviewer level (adjudicating candidate lists from FR systems) and examiner level (forensic-expert process of comparing facial images to reach an opinion). Improving algorithms have increased system accuracy but those searching that cannot be adjudicated within the algorithm require human intervention. In the 17 years since the creation of the Facial Identification Scientific Working Group and the subsequent establishment of the IAI and OSAC subcommittees in 2014, Facial Identification has been playing ‘catch up’ with FRT, a technology that started making inroads into the biometrics community in the early 1990’s. As we approach the latter half of this decade, these two fundamental pillars are approaching an optimal point for future accuracy, success, and public acceptance. Other elements in this webinar include:
- The status of a proposed Facial Identification Certification program
- Some of the requirements that must be met in order to apply for certification
- The milestones and timeline for the launch of a certification program
It is hoped that webinar participants will see the value in in the continued utilization of facial examination and review in conjunction with the deployment of an effective facial recognition system pursuant to criminal investigation. Additionally, the development and deployment of a certification program will help establish the scientific rigor of the discipline and its practitioners.
Date and Time: Wed, Oct 21, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Tuition: Free for IAI Members (Non-members will be invoiced $89 each.)
IAI IDNews
With continued efforts, the IAI is going green. As of January 1, 2025, printed copies of the IDNews will no longer be available.
IAI IDentification News
The current issue of the new IDNews ebook is now available online.
- To read the issue online, please go to https://theiai.org, login, and at the Publications section of the Member Area click on the current Identification News link.
- To download the current issue as a PDF, please go to https://theiai.org, login, and at the Publications section of the Member Area click on the Download current IDNews issue as a PDF link.
Regards,
The IAI
Journal of Forensic Identification
The current issue of the new Journal of Forensic Identification eBook and downloadable PDF is now available online.
- To read the issue online as an eBook, please go to https://theiai.org, login, and at the Publications section of the Member Area click on the link found beneath the cover of the JFI publication.
- To download the current issue as a PDF, please go to https://theiai.org, login, and at the Publications section of the Member Area click on the the Download current JFI issue as a PDF link.
Thank you for your continued patronage, and happy reading!!
Regards,
The IAI
Copyright 2018 MNIAI. All Rights Reserved.
Website Design by Dan Anselment, Division Member
Division mailing address:
7964 Brooklyn Blvd, Suite 105
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445