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_________________________________________ Ridgeology Science Workshop - Plus! seats available Although it isn't offered as much as requested, Forensic Identification Training Seminars is glad to announce an open enrollment Ridgeology Science Workshop coming up on August 10-14, 2009 in California. Josh Bergeron has taught this class quite a few times, and brings his experiences to bear in this enhanced version of the workshop. This 40-hour course combines detailed lecture on the scientific bases for friction ridge identification with intense practical exercises emphasizing correct comparison techniques. Lecture topics include the philosophy and "ACE-V" methodology of comparing and identifying latent prints. Emphasis is placed on the correct application and documentation of ACE-V. Students are equipped to explain the reasons behind the fundamental principles of permanence and individuality through a special emphasis on the most thorough and up-to-date information on human embryological friction ridge formation and friction ridge skin structure. Training is also given in the recognition of ridge pattern "clues" in fingerprints and palm prints to help students “orient” the print; identify which area of skin made a particular latent impression. Related topics include an introduction to “Daubert” issues, the US v. Plaza ruling, 'tough' identifications and 'close' non-identifications. Experiments conducted through the week to give students first hand knowledge analyzing different aspects of distortion, forgery and fabrication include:
More information can be found at
http://www.foridents.com/class.php?class_id=20 Relevant Portions of IAI Updates (June & July), by Joe Polski:
National Forensic Technology Center (NFSTC) During the annual Members Meeting of the NFSTC in May, three new board members were elected along with board officers for next year. I’m pleased that the board re-elected me to serve as Chair of the Board and President of the corporation. The NFSTC has been very active in supporting many areas of forensic science and during the past few years, been instrumental in obtaining NIJ funding to offer latent fingerprint and footwear training. That training grant has been extended for another year and will provide another round of badly needed training for entry-level latent examiners. The training is provided by instructors from RS&A under a contractual agreement between NFSTC and RS&A. The IAI strongly supports this
Tampa Conference Presentation – National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Report/Recommendations One of the hottest topics in the forensics community these days is the NAS Forensics Committee report and recommendations. In order to better acquaint IAI conference attendees with this subject, a panel discussion will be held on Friday morning, August 21 from 9 a.m. until noon. IAI Board Chair Ken Martin will moderate the panel with members representing various points of view with respect to the recommendations. Panel members include Ken Melson, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF&E) speaking from the prosecutor’s perspective, Dr. Anne-Marie Mazza, chief NAS staff member to the Forensics Committee, will provide an overview of the NAS process, Dr. Robert Shaler, an NAS Committee member, speaking from the academic perspective, Marvin Schecter, an NAS Committee member and defense attorney from New York speaking from the defense perspective and IAI President Bob Garrett who will present the IAI’s point of view. This discussion will provide an opportunity to hear firsthand from these individuals, each of who played an important role in the NAS Committee and its report.
FBI Advisory Policy Board (APB) Update – Peter Komarinski, IAI Liason to the APB Peter sent the following brief synopsis of the recent APB Meeting held in Washington, DC. The FBI CJIS Advisory Policy Board (APB) held its semi-annual meeting in Washington on June 4th and 5th. The APB provides guidance to CJIS in formulating policy and programs. IAI members with FBI Law Enforcement Online (LEO) accounts can go to https://www.leo.gov/http://leowcs.leopriv.gov/lesig/cjis/advisory_process/ to view more information.
Highlights included the introduction of Mr. Daniel Roberts, the new Assistant Director of the CJIS Division. Mr. Roberts has 22 years experience in the FBI, and 5 plus years of prior local law enforcement. In his remarks Mr. Daniels stated he looks forward to the challenge of replacing Tom Bush as the CJIS Assistant Director.
FBI Director Mueller addressed the audience of nearly 200 and responded to questions. He spoke of the changes in policy between administrations. In his opinion the current administration will shift the pendulum more towards the needs of law enforcement.
AFIS Interoperability Technical Working Group (TWG) ATTN: Latent Examiners and AFIS Personnel As you know, the National Institute of Justice along with the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) is sponsoring an AFIS Interoperability Working Group. This group has been meeting for about a year now and is making real progress. During the last meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida, it was decided to try to get information about fingerprint cases where AFIS interoperability between state and/or local systems would have prevented criminal activity or other case information where the ability to search AFIS systems, if they were interoperable, would have significantly assisted in an investigation. If you have such a case or anecdotal information regarding AFIS interoperability, please forward that to me at joseph.polski@theiai.org. This type of case information will be extremely helpful to augment the argument for interoperability.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact the IAI office if there is anything we can do to assist you.
Joe Polski
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