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Requirements for Forensic Artist Certification

Due to the multifaceted nature of the field of forensic art, forensic art certification has three categories. They are Composite Imaging, Facial Reconstruction and Image Enhancement or Age progression. The applicant can apply for forensic art certification with an emphasis on any one or all three categories. However, an artist applicant should posses at least a fundamental knowledge for all three forensic art categories before applying.

1. Qualifications:

First Time Certifications:

An applicant for forensic art certification must meet all of the following qualifications which can apply to the three forensic art categories.

  • Received 80 hours of IAI approved forensic art training programs. These workshops should be considered basic and intermediate programs. Certificates of successfully completing the programs are required. See approved training program specifications below.
  • Additional 40 hours of related workshops, lectures or short program training.
    • Related workshop in fields such as digital imagery, interviewing, forensic sciences, and short forensic art programs.
    • Any Lectures attended at an IAI conference, local or international.
  • A minimum of two years of experience as a forensic artist for an agency or multiple agencies.
    • The applicant will supply confirmation letters for each agency that they are claiming credit. The confirmation letter specifications are below.
  • A minimum of 30 forensic art cases which can include composites, reconstructions and age progressions (other related case experience maybe evaluated on an individual basis).
  • Plus one letter of recommendation from one of the following persons an IAI certified forensic artist, a forensic artist that is an IAI member or any person IAI certified in any field.

In addition to the before mentioned qualification the following is also required:

  • A properly completed application and current IAI certification fee.
  • A portfolio submission. The portfolio specifications are listed below.
  • Once the application and portfolio has been received and approved. The applicant will be required to complete and pass the written exam and practical test which will be provided.

Confirmation Letters Specifications:

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 the applicant is claiming credit for. All submitted letters should include the following information on an official letterhead:

  • The agency’s name and contact information.
  • The title, name and contact information of the of person making the endorsement
  • The total number of forensic art cases prepared for the agency.
  • The applicant’s rank or status with the agency.
  • The applicant’s date of appointment or date entered into contract.
  • A summary of the agency’s experience with the applicant.

Forensic art endorsement categories include:

  • 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 an unidentified deceased for the purpose of identification. These forensic images could be a three dimensional or two dimensional post mortem reconstructions.
  • Age or Image Enhancement: These are images of age progressions, age regressions, image enhancements and subject image updates.

Portfolio Specifications:

All copies of the forensic art images, sketches and drawings should be high quality reproductions or high resolution images. The portfolio should be professionally presented. This portfolio can be hard copies and/or in a digital format. All digital images must be in a JPEG file format. Each image must be clearly labeled with the applicant’s name and date. All of the following should be included:

  • 10 images prepared for law enforcement investigation cases. (These cases do not require a suspect hit. They are generally to illustrate your technique and skills).
    • Each case submitted should include:
      • Clear print(s) or digital images
      • A short case history (date, crime, location)
      • A short basic description on how the image was developed. This is required only once for each technique submitted.
  • 3 forensic art cases that resulted in a “Hit”. These cases require an image of an identified suspect or individual.
    • Each case submitted should include:
      • Clear print(s) or digital images of the forensic image and identified suspect or individual
      • A short case history(date, crime, location)
      • A basic description of the witness or victim participant if applicable.
      • A short narrative on how the forensic image assisted in the apprehension or identification.

2. Testing Procedure:

Once the application and portfolio has been accepted, the applicant will be required to complete and pass the written exam and practical test which will be provided.

3. Additional Information:

Once all the above listed qualifications, application and testing procedure have been successfully met. The artist will be granted IAI certification in the field of forensic art with an emphasis on the requested category. They will receive a certificate in the mail. The artist name will be recorded on the certification list with the Forensic Art Certification Board as well as posted on the IAI website.

Failure to provide an accurate application or failing any portion of the testing will require the applicant to wait six (6) months from the rejection date to reapply. Those reapplying must submit a new application with all the attachments plus the current certification fee as posted on the IAI Website.

4. Recertification Qualifications:

Recertification is required every 5 years from the date of the original certification. An artist requesting forensic art recertification must meet all of the following criteria. These qualifications apply to all the forensic art certification categories.

Note: All artists requesting recertification are required to take and pass the practical test established in August, 2011. If the artist has already taken and passed this practical test, they are not required to take it again. If the artist requesting recertification fails to pass the practical test, their recertification process will be temporally suspended. The artist will have up to six months to improve his or her skills before requesting to take the practical test again without resubmitting the recertification application.

5. Recertification Continuance Status:

If the artist has ten years or less as a forensic artist, has never passed the practical test established in August 2011 or does not meet the qualification listed below, they should follow the above section 4 recertification procedure. However, below are the qualifications to apply for a recertification continuance status.

Once a forensic artist has met the qualifications for recertification continuance status, he or she can send a formal business letter along with any required documentation listed and current IAI recertification fee to the forensic certification board requesting his or her certification to be continued. There after the forensic artist can apply for recertification every five years with just a formal business letter to the forensic certification board requesting his or her certification to be continued. However the artist will be require to pay the recertification fee that is currently listed on the IAI website at that time.

6. Unusual Circumstances:

  1. This section only applies to honorably retired forensic artists from a law enforcement agencies and certain foreign applicants. If the above listed procedures are unable to be met for reasons beyond the control of the applicant, contact the Forensic Art Certification Board Secretary for further assistance.
  2. This section only applies to an established practicing forensic artist with a level of experience that meets the requirements of certification, recertification and recertification continuance status. If the artist has allowed a past certification to elapse or has never been certified and now desires to be certified, please contact the Forensic Art Certification Board Secretary for further assistance.

7. Forensic Art Approved Training Specifications:

Introduction or Basic Programs:

Intermediate Programs:

Advanced Programs:

Note: It is advised that workshop instructors submit his or her established forensic art training curriculum to the Forensic Art Certification Committee for review. This should be done under the committee’s reviewing criteria soon to be instituted. Programs not meeting the above training guidelines may not be accepted as approved training for certification. This is only to insure that a potential student will receive the required information and skills during a particular workshop necessary to pass certification. If you are a forensic art educator and have any questions, contact the forensic art certification board.

For further information, contact:

Norma Dieppa
Forensic Art Certification Secretary
10180 SW 99 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33176