The MNIAI supports law enforcement personnel
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020 Fall Educational Conference was canceled. MNIAI President Nik Smith has rescheduled to fall of 2021. See information below in 2021 Conference News.

Welcome to the MNIAI website!

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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.

2021 Conference News!

**ATTENTION**
Please book your sleeping room at the Inn on Lake Superior as soon as possible. Space is filling up fast!

President Nik Smith has successfully scheduled the MNIAI Fall Educational Conference for 2021! It is at the same venue as the canceled 2020 Conference;
The Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth. Reserve your sleeping room at the Inn by August 9, 2021. Rooms will be released for general sale after August 9th. Call them at 218-726-1111 or 888-668-4352. Tell them you are attending the MNIAI Conference to receive these special nightly rates (plus tax): 
$164.00 Standard Poolside
$164.00 Cityview
$174.00 Bridgeview
$184.00 Standard Lakeview
$194.00 Lakeview Suites 

Conference dates are September 8-10, 2021. The Conference commences on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM starting with Registration/check-in. The Conference concludes on Friday, September 10 at 12:30 PM.

Registration is now available! Click here or select Conference Registration in the menu bar at the top of this page. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully.

The conference schedule is fully confirmed. Click here for a printable copy or scroll down to see it. The MN POST Board has approved 17 continuing education credits for this conference. Course number is 09027-0027.

The MNIAI hopes to see you in Duluth!

Countdown to the 2021 Conference!

Jayme Closs Case Study scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2021!

Detective Jeffrey Nelson from the Baron County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Office and Special Agent Joseph Welsch from the Wisconsin DOJ-Division of Criminal Investigation will present the Jayme Closs murder case involving the murders of her mother and father. This case study will be the only course presented on this date.
Confirmed courses offered at this year's conference are as follows:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
​Registration - Secretary/Treasurer Jen Jaspersen, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Welcome and Agenda - President Nik Smith, 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
  • Susan Spiller Homicide Case Study presented by Minneapolis Police Department Crime Lab Unit Manager Randy Hanson, 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
  • Forensic Video Examination: The Past, the Present and a Peek at the Future presented by FBI Video Communication Specialist - Regional Program Manager Kimberly Meline, 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
  • Trajectory/Laser Light Photography presented by Anoka County Sheriff's Office Detective Jeffrey Piper, 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
​Sleeping room check-in and dinner on your own, 4:15 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Night Photography Techniques presented by retired MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Janet Nelson, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Outdoors - PLEASE BRING CAMERA USED FOR CRIME SCENES, FLASH, LENSES, FLASHLIGHT (FOR PAINTING) AND TRIPOD
​President's Reception, 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM - at the outdoor fire pit. In case of inclement weather, the Reception will be held in the President's personal suite.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
  • Elizabeth Perrault Death Investigation presented by Burnsville Police Department Detective Brad Litke, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Northern Lights 1 Room
​Concurrent Sessions: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
  • New MAFIN ABIS presented by MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Senior Project Manager Jerry Olson and Forensic Scientist Marty Koolen - Copper Harbor Room
  • Solemate FPX: A Solution for Continuing the Database presented by MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Scientist Amy Bloch - Northern Lights 1 Room
​  ______________________________________________________________________________________​
Lunch on your own, 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Sauk Center Officer Involved Shooting presented by MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Nicholas Riba, 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
  ______________________________________________________________________________________
Concurrent Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
  • Case Histories of Blood Prints on Fabrics presented by MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Scientist III/Technical Leader Pat Warrick - Copper Harbor Room
  • Use of UAV's for Crime Scene Documentation presented by St. Cloud Police Department Police Officer Matthew Riekena - Northern Lights 1 Room
​  ______________________________________________________________________________________
  • Ertl Homicide Case Study presented by MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent JJ Brovold, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
​  ________________________________________________________________

General Membership Business Meeting with a chance to win a prize, 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM - Copper Harbor Room

MNIAI 2021 Fall Educational Conference Banquet, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room followed by social time


​FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
  • Jayme Kloss Abduction and Murder Case presented by Detective Jeffrey Nelson from the Baron County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Office and Special Agent Joseph Welsch from the Wisconsin DOJ-Division of Criminal Investigation, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Northern Lights 1 Room
​
All topics are subject to change due to presenter availability.

The MNIAI is committed to following all guidelines and protocols set forth by the Inn on Lake Superior along with the city of Duluth for group meetings.

Justice Pays Scholarship Contest for 2020/2021

Whether it's legal oriented, or another field, Justice Pays believes in having a solid core education. The scholarship has a grand prize of $1,000 for the student that best showcases their interest in pursuing a degree. For more information, click here.
                      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.

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

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News and info from the IAI

A note from Kelly Ayers:

Please follow this link to the MailChimp campaign announcing the student program happening in Nashville at the 105th IAI Educational Conference!
​Thank you! 
    The IAI 2021 Educational Conference News 

August 1 - 7th, 2021
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

With over 150 lectures and workshops to choose from, you will be able to fill your week-long calendar with topics related to crime scene processing, photography, collection and examination of latent print, footwear, tire track, bloodstain, biometric and other types of impression evidence. The latest techniques, standards, methods and developments are discussed here every year - don't miss your chance to be brought up-to-date! 
 
This Conference is the most cost-effective and time-efficient investment that you can make in your career this year! See full 2021 Conference Program and Register now. Remember, workshops fill up fast, so make your selections and sign up for your hands on experience choices today!
 
Go to Hotel Reservations to book your hotel.
 
The IAI is committed to following all guidelines and protocols set forth by the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center along with the city of Nashville for large group meetings. For additional information on safety protocols go here.
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.
     OSAC Standards Bulletin - July 2020

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science monthly Standards Bulletin is now available. Learn about the six latest standards added to the OSAC Registry, the forensic science standards currently open for comment, and the new documents being initiated.

READ MORE

​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.