Welcome to the MNIAI website!
The Minnesota Division of the International Association for Identification was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status on February 5, 2026, and is dedicated to advancing continuing education opportunities for professionals across Minnesota working in forensic science, crime scene investigation, law enforcement, and identification disciplines.. Our annual 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.
Chartered in 1964, the MNIAI hosts an annual educational conference offering a variety of relevant and up-to-date training courses designed to provide practical knowledge students can apply in their everyday professional responsibilities. Typically held in the fall, the conference spans two to three days, with locations varying from year to year.
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Click here to see information on other Division's 2026 Educational Conferences.
2027 EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE INFO:
September 29th - October 1st at
The Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth.
More details to follow in the coming months!
2026 Educational Conference
Dates were: September 9-11
Location was: The Inn on Lake Superior
aka: The Inn at Canal Park
350 Canal Park Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
Some photos from the 2026 Conference.
Presenters and Sponsors: Hamline University Professor Julia Wang with
students Lily Jorgenson, Anthony Delarco and Aliya Appelsies.
students Lily Jorgenson, Anthony Delarco and Aliya Appelsies.
Sponsor: DNA Labs International booth. Cami Green not pictured.
Presenter and Sponsor: Foster + Freeman with Nathan Carey.
Sponsor: Scene Clean booth. Carolyn Curfman and Jessica Marmelo not pictured.
2026 Fall Educational Conference Sponsors
Click on the images to go to their websites
Hamline University
Conference Sponsorship Options
To register your presence at our Educational Conference, please click here to go to our Sponsorship Registration page. Complete the form and click on the Submit and Pay button. Payment is made via PayPal and the cost per Sponsor is $300.00.
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!
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!
And now...a word from our Advertisers!
Purchase ad space by clicking here. Options are 12-month ads, 6-month ads and 3-month ads.
Purchase ad space by clicking here. Options are 12-month ads, 6-month ads and 3-month ads.
Click on images to visit their websites.
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MNIAI Challenge Coin
Heads Tails
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.
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:
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:
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.)
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
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
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.
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 IDentification News eBook Vol. 56 No. 3 (Jul-Sep 2026) 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.
- President’s Message
- Editor’s Message
- Message From The IAI's COO
- Member Spotlight
- A Preview Of Excellence
- Representing The IAI On The Global Stage
- Rebuilding Confidence And Quality
- Gorillas In The Prints: A Study Of Inattentional Blindness
- 2026 Forensic Training Courses
- Bring Your Own Slides (BYOS)
- The Significance Of Rare NCIC Fingerprint Classifications
- Footwear Test Changes Ahead
- Committee Interest Solicitation For 2026-2027
- Know Before You Go To St. Louis IAI Conference
- Newly Certified-Recertified Roster
Thank you for your continued patronage, and happy reading!!
Regards,
The IAI
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.
Thank you for your continued patronage, and happy reading!!
Regards,
The IAI
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 Journal of Forensic Identification eBook Vol. 76 No. 2 (Apr-Jun 2026) 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 the Download current JFI issue as a PDF link.
- Technical Note: Comparative Effectiveness of Black and Magnetic Powders in Single and Sequential Latent Fingerprint Development
- Technical Note: Tire and Footwear Impression Comparisons via Digital Superimposition - A Photoshop Method Compatible with ACE-V and ADAMS
- Technical Note: Case Recovery Rates of Latent Impressions on Firearms Evidence
- Case Report: Atypical Backspatter Pattern in a Suicide Scene
- Article: The Effect of Paint Brand on the Development of Latent Fingermarks on Walls
- Article: Forensic Infrared Imaging of Foliage: An Examination of the Prevalence of the Wood Effect
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