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Forensic Artist Certification Process

Certification Requirements & Qualifications
Certification Ethics
Certification Process
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Forensic Art Discipline
Forensic Artist Certification Application (Acrobat PDF)
Forensic Artist Recertification Application (Acrobat PDF)

REQUIREMENTS FOR FORENSIC ART CERTIFICATION

A. Qualifications:

Due to the multifaceted nature of the field of forensic art, it has been broken down into three separate interdisciplinary fields being called “endorsements”. These endorsements are Composite Imaging, Facial Reconstruction, and Age Enhancement. 120 hours of training will be required for each of the interdisciplinary fields of composite art and facial reconstruction. 80 hours of training will be required in the field of Age Enhancement. All training must be submitted in the form of a course specific training certificate from an IAI approved source.

B. Years of Service Required

Two years of active service in the field of forensic art. (In the absence of a start date for employment wherein forensic art responsibilities are in the applicant’s job description, the start of the two year time frame will be calculated from the date of the applicant’s first critical case assignment).

C. Confirmation Letters:

Applicants must submit a letter that states the status of the applicant’s employment with the agency, or the status of the agreement under which the applicants services are provided. In contractual agreements, letters must be submitted by each agency represented in the applicant’s portfolio case review. All submitted letters should include the following information:

  1. The total number cases prepared for the agency.
  2. The applicant’s rank or status with the agency.
  3. The applicant’s date of appointment, or date entered into contract.
  4. A summary of the applicant’s forensic art specific courtroom testimony experience, if any.

Endorsement Definitions:

Composite Imaging: Preparation of a suspect image in a criminal case from information gleaned from an interview of a witness or victim.

Facial Reconstruction: Preparation of a facial image of a decedent for media transmittal for identification purposes. This endorsement will include Three Dimensional Reconstruction, Two Dimensional Reconstruction and Post Mortem Imaging.

Age Enhancement: Preparation of an image regarding the appearance of the age of the depicted individual. This endorsement includes aging images of long sought felons, missing and endangered individuals, as well as the generation of facial images as an investigative tool.

D. Examination:

The applicant will complete a written test that will consist of multiple choice and true false questions that pertain to all facets of the forensic art / facial imaging field regardless of the applicant’s field specialty or chosen endorsement. All questions in the test are drawn directly from the listed study material. Applicants have two (2) hours to complete the examination.

Portfolio Review:

The applicant’s effectiveness in applying the skills and knowledge in the field of forensic art will be determined by the certification board’s review of a professional portfolio as prepared and submitted by the applicant. A valid portfolio will include all of the following:

  1. 15 images prepared in critical cases or investigations. (Training projects will not be considered.)
  2. Each case submitted should include:
    1. Clear print(s) of the final image outcome.
    2. A short case history
    3. A short narrative of how the image assisted with the investigation and/or prosecution.
    4. A short, but complete narrative on how the image was prepared and what processes were used.
    5. Comparison images in the cases of composite and fugitive age progression “hits” and reconstruction, post mortem, and age progression identifications, as well as details on how the image was published in the news media and websites prior to identification.
    6. Confirmation letter that confirms the case facts as stated from the agency for which the submitted image was prepared. One endorsement letter is acceptable in the case of multiple images submitted from the same agency, but case specific information must be included in the single letter for each case submitted.
  3. The minimum passing score on the written test will be 75%. The submitted portfolio will be evaluated by at least three (3) members of the Forensic Art certification board for skill, accuracy and technique. Approval by at least two-thirds of the reviewing board members will be necessary for certification.
  4. Failing any portion of the exam will require the applicant to wait six (6) months from the rejection date to reapply and take the failed portion (either written or practical drawing or both).
  5. Those reapplying must submit a new application with all the attachments plus the current certification fee as posted on the IAI Website.

E. Recertification:

  1. All applicants for recertification must accumulate 50 continuing education/ professional development credits during the previous 5-year period.
  2. Applicants for recertification will be required to produce a practical image to demonstrate maintenance of their artistic skill level. This image will be evaluated by the same guidelines described in Section D, 3.
  3. Re-Certification can be accomplished through the submission of the required re-certification fee as posted on the IAI web site, and completion of the IAI forensic art re-certification form, which requires an applicant demonstrate his/her continued relevant participation in the chosen field.

For further information, contact:

Charles Jackson
Forensic Art Certification Secretary