Welcome to the MNIAI website!

Chartered in 1964, the Minnesota Division of the International Association for Identification (MNIAI) holds an annual educational conference devoted to continuing education for the forensic sciences, crime scene investigation and identification fields. Typically held in the fall, the conference is two days long.

2020 Conference location confirmed!

We are heading back to Duluth! The 2020 Fall Educational Conference will be held at the Inn on Lake Superior, 350 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55802. Phone: 218-726-1111 or toll free at 888-668-4352. Reservations available starting August 10, 2020. Mention the MNIAI when reserving your room. Conference dates are September 9-11, 2020. Classes start at 12:00 PM on Wednesday and the conference concludes at 12:00 PM on Friday. Registration and check-in begins at 10:30 AM on Wednesday. POST and ABMDI continuing education credits offered.

Sleeping room rates vary and are as follows:
  • $164.00 Standard Pool Side
  • $164.00 Cityview
  • $174.00 Bridgeview
  • $184.00 Standard Lakeview
  • $194.00 Lakeview Suites
Rooms include:
  • Self Parking
  • Deluxe Continental Breakfast served 6:30 AM-10:00 AM
  • Nightly S’mores on Lakeside Patio
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Soda and Water in Room on Arrival Date
  • Seasonal Bike Rental
  • All Rooms Include Refrigerator, Coffee Pot, Iron/Ironing Board, & Hairdryer.
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Check out their website by clicking here.
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MORE EXCITING CONFERENCE NEWS!!!

​Not only will we be headed back to Duluth in 2020, but the presentation on Friday will be on the Jayme Closs Investigation.

The presentation involves the October 15th, 2018 investigation of the abduction of Jayme Closs and the homicides of her parents. It will cover how local, state and federal agencies worked together and co-managed the investigation until Jayme’s heroic escape on January 10th, 2019. It also covers the successful prosecution of Jake Patterson and difficulties encountered during the process.

The presenters are the lead investigators from the Barron County, WI Sheriff’s Department, the WI DOJ - Division of Criminal Investigations, and the FBI.

Please note: This presentation is only for sworn and non-sworn employees of law enforcement organizations. If you are planning to attend the conference but do not work for a law enforcement agency, please contact President Nik Smith directly via email.
Additionally, we are offering courses on the following topics:
  • Susan Spiller Homicide Case Study with Crime Lab Unit Manager Randy Hanson of the Minneapolis Police Department
  • Laser Light Photography with Detective Jeff Piper of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office
  • Boston Marathon Bombing, etc. with Forensic Video Analyst Kim Meline of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minneapolis Division
  • Homicide Investigation Case Study with Special Agent Nick Riba of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, St. Cloud Office
  • Drone Use for Crime Scenes with Officer Alec Elness of the St. Cloud Police Department
  • Latent Prints with Forensic Scientist III/Technical Leader and MNIAI Division Representative Pat Warrick of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Bemidji Regional Office
  • Night Photography (outdoors on Wednesday) with Retired Special Agent and MNIAI Editor Janet Nelson of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Bemidji Regional Office
  • Perrault Homicide Case Study with Crime Scene Investigator and MNIAI First Vice President Brad Litke of the Burnsville Police Department
  • ROFIN Alternative Light Source from Scene Search with Officer Dustin Anderson of the Minneapolis Police Department
                      We're on Facebook!
  • Click the Facebook icon found in the upper right corner of this page.
  • Log into Facebook. (The group name is Minnesota Division of the International Association for Identification).
  • Click the 'join' button. You'll be asked to answer two questions in order to join the group.​ ​
​                                        Check it out!
Picture
             Potential TV opportunity
Hello,
 
My name is Dimitri Villanueva and I'm a casting producer with CityMedia Entertainment, a Los Angeles based casting company with series including but not limited to Netflix, CBS, NBC, and FOX. 
 
We are currently working with ITV America on a brand new program for a major network that showcases law enforcement agencies across the country finding their most wanted fugitives. We are putting together an accomplished team of Investigators, Detectives, former Military, Law Enforcement Officers, Research and Crime Analysts, etc. to work with these agencies in locating their most wanted. 

​



If interested in learning more, email me at dvilly.casting@gmail.com, or reach me at (630) 337-3356.

Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you!
 
Best,
Dimitri


DIMITRI VILLANUEVA
Assistant Casting Producer
 + m. (630)337-3356
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 + s. @citymediaent
 + w. citymediaent.com

Photos of the 2019 Fall Educational Conference LCV and Luminol ​workshops!

30-45 minute online study for Forensic Latent Print Examiners conducted by Florida International University.
               
​                   Click here for information.

DOJ Notice of Public Comment on
​Advancing Forensic Science.
Click here for information provided by the IAI.

Research Study Opportunity:
Error Rate Estimates for
Palm Impression Comparisons
For information click here.

Handwriting and Footwear Black Box Studies
​Volunteers Needed!
Click here for more information.

MNIAI Charter Member, past MNIAI President, Secretary/Treasurer and Historian
and past IAI President (1970-71)
John Douthit passed away on May 15, 2019; one month and a day after his 99th birthday.
John was the oldest living member of
both the MNIAI and the IAI.
Rest in Peace, John

MNIAI Online Store

MNIAI Challenge Coin
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MNIAI Coin

News and info from the IAI

Begun in 1915, the International Association for Identification (IAI) is the oldest forensic science organization in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. The IAI is dedicated to the development of the forensic sciences and to the continued education and certification of practicing forensic scientists and crime scene investigators.
Please click here to read an open
letter from the ​IAI regarding Certifications.