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.
ANAB Training AnnouncementLocal Courtroom Testimony TrainingTri-Tech Forensics Training Division is bringing IAI-branded training to our region.
View the course flyer. Registration instructions are found on the flyer. Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Science Professionals May 23 – 25, 2022 Minneapolis, MN Location: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office 531 Park Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55415 Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuition: $459.00 Local CSI TrainingAn upcoming Minnesota POST approved training course hosted by the Shakopee Police Department is Forza Forensics, LLC's Basic Crime Scene Investigation course. It will be held at the SCALE Regional Training Facility in Jordan, MN on June 6th – 10th, 2022. Click here for a link to the registration page on the website. See the course flyer. Space is limited so register today!
2022 Conference News!President Brad Litke has signed a contract with The Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth for our 2022 Fall Educational Conference. The dates chosen are September 14-16 with the same timing format used during the 2021 Conference. The Conference will begin on Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00 AM with check-in and will conclude on Friday, September 16 at 12:15 PM.
The Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth. Reserve your sleeping room at the Inn before August 15, 2022. Rooms will be released for general sale after this date. Call them at 888-668-4352. Tell them you are attending the MNIAI Conference to receive these special nightly rates for single occupancy (plus tax): $206.99 King Fireplace Lakeview 3rd Floor $206.99 King/Sofa Sleeper Lakeview $206.99 King Whirlpool Lakeview 1st Floor $192.99 2 Queens Lakeview $192.99 2 Queens/Sofa Sleeper Lakeview $185.99 King/Sofa Sleeper Bridgeview $185.99 King/Sofa Sleeper Bridgeview Balcony $185.99 2 Queens/Sofa Sleeper Bridgeview Balcony $178.99 2 Queens/Sofa Sleeper Cityview $171.99 2 Queens Poolview Conference registration is now available. Click here to go to the registration page. Please be sure to read through the general information section. On behalf of the MNIAI Board of Directors, we hope to see you again in Duluth this year! 2022 Educational Conference Agenda
Wednesday, September 14
1000-1200 Check-in with MNIAI Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Jaspersen
1200-1230 Opening remarks by MNIAI 2022 President Bradley Litke 1230-1400 Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office Dr. Andrew Baker - Gunshot Wounds 1400-1415 Break *1415-1515 Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office Dr. Andrew Baker - Death in America *1415-1515 Foster + Freeman Technology Technical Sales Specialist Saad Khan - AARI (Amino Acid Rapid Image) and Detect More Evidence (ALS) *1515-1645 Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Coordinator Melissa Loren - Kruse Case Study and Debate *1515-1645 Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents Matt Parker and Sarah Deamron - Investigative Genealogy 1645-1800 Break/Dinner on your own/Hotel room check-in *1800-2100 Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (retired) Special Agent Janet Nelson - Nighttime Photography - STUDENTS: PLEASE BRING CAMERA USED FOR CRIME SCENES, FLASH, LENSES, FLASHLIGHT (FOR PAINTING) AND TRIPOD *1800-? President's Reception outside at the firepit (weather permitting) featuring S'mores. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be held in the rotunda near the Northern Lights Rooms * Denotes concurrent sessions Thursday, September 15
0830-1200 Iowa Department of Public Safety Special Agents Trent Vileta and
Richard Rahn with Iowa Attorney General's Office Attorney Scott Brown - Murder of Mollie Tibbetts 
Mollie Tibbetts
1200-1300 Lunch on your own
*1300-1500 HERO Center Training Manager Dan Anselment - Forensic Entomology, Case Study *1300-1500 Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Scientists Jessica Hunt and Tonya Lindbery - Photoshop Enhancements of Latent Prints and Other Impression Evidence 1500-1515 Break 1515-1615 Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Supervisor Steven Swenson - Blood Spatter 1615-1630 Break 1630-1730 Anoka County Sheriff's Office Detectives Nicholas Smith and Shane Werneke - Karl Henson Case Study 1730-1830 MNIAI Board of Directors - 2022 General Membership Meeting and Election of Officers 1900-? Annual Banquet with door prizes * Denotes concurrent sessions Friday, September 16
0800-1000 Dakota County Attorney's Office Assistant Coumty Attorney Caitlyn
Prokopowicz and Kelly and Lemmons Attorney Kristina Borgen - Crime Scene and Investigative Testifying 1000-1015 Break 1015-1215 Federal Bureau of Investigations Unit Chief Karie Gibson - Suitcase Killer Presentation with Behaviorist Lessons Learned 1215 Conclusion of Conference/Submit Evaluations and name badge card; please keep your lanyard And now...a word from one of our Sponsors
We're on Facebook!
30-45 minute online study for Forensic Latent Print Examiners conducted by Florida International University.
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Announcement of the availability of a Board position from Gopher Identification Editor Janet Nelson
The Gopher Identification newsletter has been published for members of the MNIAI since our Charter in 1964. It was still typed (yes, on a typewriter), printed and mailed when I took over in 2000. I brought the newsletter into the digital/computer age during my tenure as Editor and now, with the development of our website and the use of social media, we are at the point of another change. That change deserves a fresh set of eyes so I wish to step aside to welcome a new Editor. Is it you? The nominal duties of newsletter Editor involve gathering & publishing information of interest to the members of the MNIAI two times per year. You are welcome to either continue with the current PDF format (laid out in MS Publisher) or take the newsletter in a different direction...more like a news and events listing in the form of an e-newsletter on the MNIAI website and Facebook page. The website will also feature any training articles you write or locate from other resources. Ever thought about taking a position on the MNIAI board? In exchange for a few hours of your time during the year, your conference registration is covered, as is your lunch at 1-2 business meetings. Some IAI certifications give credit for serving on a Chapter Board when you recertify. Serving on a Board is sometimes helpful when the time comes for advancement or promotion. The MNIAI Board of Directors is seeking to fill the Board position of Newsletter Editor during the 2022 General Membership meeting at the Fall Conference. After a change in the Constitution, this position will be known as Media Editor. The current newsletter Editor has offered any assistance desired by the new Media Editor during the transition. The MNIAI Board of Directors encourages members to consider nomination to this Board position at the General Membership meeting. Please contact the current Editor or any Board Member to communicate your interest or obtain further information. MNIAI Online StoreMNIAI 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 2022 Educational Conference News
Call for Presentations! The online submission for Lecture, Workshop, and Poster proposals is OPEN! The IAI conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska Jul 31st, through Aug 6th, 2022. Do you have a great case or research project that you would be willing to share? How about a management strategy or casework technique you have worked hard to develop? Do you have a skill that those new in the field could practice, or a new way of doing something that all professionals should hear about? If so, It is time to submit your idea to the IAI for consideration as a presentation to be included in the 2022 IAI Educational Conference. • Consider a lecture if your information can be shared visually in 30-60 minutes. • Consider a workshop if your information is best conveyed through hands-on experience in 2-4 hours. • Consider a poster if you are more comfortable having one-on-one discussions with attendees about your information and/or for topics with a very specific focus. Lectures and Workshops proposals may be submitted until February 15th, 2022. Posters may be submitted until June 30th, 2022. For more information regarding, Lectures, Workshops, and Posters/Photos Contest, go to the IAI Home Page. Book your hotel now! ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENGAGE IN IS PASSING YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON TO OTHERS! Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices Report to CongressThe Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO) applauds the Department of Justice for the completion of the Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices Report to Congress. Over the past twenty years forensic science has evolved, becoming more reliable and discriminating. Its use to fight crime and exonerate those who are innocent has expanded tremendously. Forensic science is now so routinely used in the courtroom and expected by jurors that the nation’s front line forensic examiners struggle to keep up with the demand. The CFSO is pleased that Congress included their request for this needs assessment in the 2016 Justice for All Reauthorization Act to determine the true cost of providing valid and reliable forensic science testimony by scientists in public laboratories.
CFSO Chair Matthew Gamette stated, “As I remarked in testimony before Congress this year, we need the continued support of the federal government to fund efforts to increase forensic laboratory and medical examiner capacity, capability, and training. Forensic Science Service Providers have significantly decreased backlogs, addressed turnaround times, and advanced forensic science when the resources are available for them to do so. The needs assessment provides a remarkable opportunity for the federal government to make the investment necessary for forensic services in the United States to lead the world. Making this investment now will ensure that the needs of the criminal justice system are met, that the correct people are held responsible for their crimes, and that victims of crime are able to see justice in their cases." The report concludes there is not sufficient funding to process increasing amounts of forensic evidence. It states that the counties, state, local and tribal crime laboratories and medical examiner/coroner offices have a $640 million deficit for normal operations, but the increase of opioid expenditures adds another $270 million to that cost. The report spent the last two years meeting with key forensic science providers and stakeholders to determine the state of the community and what resources are needed to keep up with the growing demand for forensic examinations. Read report. Please click here to read an open
letter from the IAI regarding Certifications. |
