The need to unequivocally identify forensic artists qualified to provide essential professional services for the nation's judicial branches of government has been long recognized. For the purposes of this manual, the term "forensic art" will be limited at this time to composite art. In response to this need and to a professional mandate, the IAI Forensic Art Certification Board was established at the Conference of the International Association for Identification to provide, in the interest of the public and of the criminal justice system, a program of certification in forensic art. In purpose, function and organization, the IAI Forensic Art Certification Board is thus analogous to the certifying boards of other specialties and scientific fields.

The objective of the Board is to establish, enhance, and revise as necessary, standards of qualification for those who practice forensic art and to certify as qualified specialists those voluntary applicants who comply with the requirements of the Board. In this way the Board aims to make available to the judicial system and to the public, a practical and equitable system for readily identifying those persons professing to be specialists in forensic art and who possess the requisite qualifications and competence.

Certification is based upon the candidate's personal and professional record of education and training, experience and achievement, as well as the results of a formal examination.

The International Association for Identification, under whose auspices the Forensic Art Certification Board was established, is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Delaware. The Board is composed of members whose principal discipline is in forensic art and who serve staggered terms.

A Forensic Art Certification Board consisting of five (5) Certified Forensic Artists shall be named by the President. They shall act independently and shall conduct the Forensic Art Certification Program adopted by the parent body on July 26, 1994, at the Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. They shall examine applicants for certification and shall have power to grant or deny certification. They shall also have the power to revoke certification for cause. Succession to the Board shall be as follows:

1. All terms shall be for six (6) years and commence as the appointments expire for prior terms with a new Board Member appointed each year.
2. The IAI Certification Board shall elect a Chairperson and Secretary to serve terms of two (2) years each.
3. The IAI Certification Board shall determine from time to time the compensation for the Secretary of the Forensic Art Certification Board.
4. When a vacancy occurs on the Board, other than the normal expiration of Board Member's term, the President of the parent body shall appoint, within thirty (30) days, a Certified Forensic Artist who is a member of the IAI to fill the remainder of the vacant term of office.

Forensic Art Certification Board Chair
Wesley Neville
(703) 632-8209
wesley.neville@ic.fbi.gov

Secretary
Charles Jackson
(856) 854-1176, ext. 173
forensicartctj@aol.com