Minnesota Division of the IAI
Contact Us
  • Home
  • Division Board
  • Membership
    • Membership Application
    • Membership Renewal and Contact Updates
    • Constitution & Bylaws
  • President's Message
  • Newsletter and Member Roster
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Training Articles
  • Advertising
  • Store
  • Links to Other Division Conferences, Announcements, Resources, Jobs and Training Opportunities
  • Sponsor Options
    • Sponsor Registration
    • Monetary Sponsorship Only
  • Presenter Information
  • Conference Registration

Welcome to the MNIAI website!

Picture
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 Announcement

Local Courtroom Testimony Training

Tri-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 Training

An 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
Picture
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

Picture

                      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!

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.

Picture

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


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.


President's Message
Divisional Board of Directors
MNIAI Membership

MNIAI Online Store

MNIAI Challenge Coin
Picture
                                 Heads                            Tails
MNIAI Coin

News and info from the IAI

Picture

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.

Picture

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 Congress

​The 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.

    Copyright 2018 MNIAI.  All Rights Reserved.
Website Design by Dan Anselment, Division Member
Website by Anselment Innovations LLC