Letter To Members Regarding COVID-19
The Iowa Division of the International Association for Identification is a non-profit organization chartered in 1963 with the International Association for Identification. The Iowa I.A.I has over 200 active, life, and associate members who are valued resources within the forensic law enforcement community. Our membership has a vast knowledge in the scientific disciplines of fingerprints, photography, footwear, DNA, crime scene processing, and more. Our members believe in networking and they appreciate continued education and learning from our peers. We offer newsletters and information on our website about new technology, techniques, and resources. The Iowa I.A.I strives to educate and share with its members by offering trainings and an annual educational conference. We are Iowa’s regional representatives to the I.A.I, the most senior organization that certifies and sets standards in forensic science disciplines.
IAI Updates
2020 has been a challenging year for each and every one of us. I’m confident the phrase “hindsight’s 2020” will take on an all new meaning come January 1. For the officers, identification technicians, criminalists, evidence technicians, and crime scene investigators that are members of our organization, our jobs have remained the same but our approach to doing that job has changed in one way or another.
Our interaction with the public has been much different than it ever has before. Many of our buildings are closed to the public. Many of us were forced to work from home or work odd hours to reduce contact with our colleagues. Whether you appreciate the social distancing guidelines or not I’m sure most would agree that we’d like to get back to our normal ability to interact with others.
I recently met someone for the first time and found myself in somewhat of an unusual position. Not because I felt like I had to stand six feet away, not because I was wearing a mask, but simply because the offer of a hand shake greeting, to new friends and old, has completely gone away. It’s strange to meet someone and not offer a traditional greeting beyond a simple “Hi”. In a technological age where people are buried in their phones or other electronic devices, completely oblivious to what is going on around them, this avoidance of contact seems to be par for the course.
Fortunately, the traditions of the IAI will continue! The IAI board is currently planning for the Advanced Crime Scene School which will be held March 29-31. For more details please go to the events page at www.iowaiai.org. We will probably still need to navigate COVID-19 restrictions at that time but will do our best to continue training crime scene investigation skills to those in Iowa tasked with that responsibility.
As a Board we will be discussing the Basic Crime Scene School that is scheduled to be held in September of 2021. With the Advanced class being pushed from 2020 to 2021 our board will make the best decision possible. It takes a lot of resources and time to put on an effective class and we want to make sure we are able to provide the best possible training. Stay tuned to the IAI website for more information.
The 2020 Educational Conference and Business Meeting was postponed to 2021 which will be held in Waterloo in November. Keep in mind that the International Conference will be held in Omaha, August of in 2022.
Until we meet again I wish you all well and good health as we move on to 2021! In the meantime, take advantage of networking opportunities through the IAI by reaching out to another members to check in.
David Billings
2019 President Iowa IAI
Ankeny Police Department
411 SW Ordnance Rd.
Ankeny, IA 50023
515.289.5252