IAI Awards

The IAI grants annual awards that recognize significant contributions to the profession.

John A. Dondero Memorial Award

The John A. Dondero Memorial Award was established in 1958 in his memory by his family and was adopted by the Association by the resolution below. John A. Dondero, prior to his untimely death in 1957, was an active, devoted and much loved member of the International Association for Identification. His many varied and progressive achievements in, and contributions to the fields of identification, investigation, and scientific crime detection brought him international recognition and esteem.

The John A. Dondero Award is to be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors to an active member of this association, who has made the most significant and valuable contribution in the area of identification and allied sciences. This award shall be granted to only one individual per year when and if it is awarded. However, if the basis for this award involves co-authors and/or co-researchers, this group of persons shall be considered as one individual for the purposes of this award and all of their names shall appear on the engraved plaque, with each of these persons receiving an engraved plaque. The names of all recipients of this award shall be listed below.

The nomination can be made by any individual in writing indicating the contributions of the active member and submitted for Board review.

Past recipients of the award are:

Distinguished Members

Dedication to Service Award

The Dedication to Service Award is awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding dedication over time to the Association and its objectives.

Dr Antonio A. Cantu Memorial Award for Early Career Research

The Dr Antonio A. Cantu Memorial Award for Early Career Research was established in 2022 in his memory by Dr. Alexandre Beaudoin, president of the International Association for Identification, and was adopted by the Association by the resolution below. Dr. Antonio A. Cantu, prior to his untimely death in 2018, was an active, devoted, and much-loved member of the International Association for Identification. Beyond his scientific skills, his research, his discoveries, and his international recognition, Dr. Cantu was a man of heart, always ready to support new forensic science practitioners in their research, by giving them his opinion, leads, and advice, so that they can flourish in this field. 

The Dr. Antonio A. Cantu Award is to be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors to a new forensic science practitioner and active member of this association, to highlight the creativity, originality, professionalism, and innovation of their research in the recovery and identification of forensic evidence, in the early stages of their career. This distinction underlines the recipient's exceptional contribution to research related to their field. This award represents the highest distinction that the Association can bestow to a new forensic science practitioner, below 10 years of experience in the field, an active member (at the time of the candidature deposition). Research must be recognized by the Association for its quality and consistency during the early stages of the candidate's career.  This award shall be granted to only one individual per year when and if it is awarded. The recipient should receive a plaque and recognition during the Educational Conference closing banquet.

The names of all recipients of this award shall be listed below.

The nomination can be made by any individual in writing indicating the contributions of the new forensic science practitioner active member in detail and submitted for board review.

Alice White Excellence in Education and Training Award

The Alice White Excellence in Education and Training Award was established in 2026 to honor Alice White and her many contributions to advancing forensic science. Alice is widely recognized as a global leader in education and training in the forensic science community and much-loved for her knowledge, humility, willingness to share, and infectious laugh. Never content to accept the current state of knowledge at face value, Alice always asks, “Why?” then investigates for herself and shares her findings with others. A passionate advocate for the past and present contributions of women in the field, Alice promotes the development of up-and-coming women while highlighting the work of forgotten female pioneers of the past. She has become a pioneer herself in the interpretation of friction ridge impression distortion and the biology underlying the premises of friction ridge identification. She tirelessly assesses the reliability and validity of the discipline’s foundational principles and has contributed to over 15 professional working groups and organizations. Alice has developed and taught courses for more than two decades, comprising more than 20 different topics. She has a gift for taking complex or controversial topics and simplifying them to present in a way that is accessible, entertaining, and easy to understand. During the COVID crisis, she led the charge in developing effective ways to continue sharing knowledge when travel and gathering were impossible, exemplifying her drive to inspire the evolution of the field.

The Alice White Excellence in Education and Training Award recognizes individuals who embody a spirit of inquiry and sharing of knowledge. This award honors those individuals who have significantly advanced the quality, accessibility, or professional standards of education within the forensic science disciplines represented by the Association. This award reflects the Association’s commitment to promoting and strengthening forensic science through education, training, and knowledge transfer within a diverse community of stakeholders.

The Alice White Excellence in Education and Training Award shall be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors to an active member of the Association who has made a significant and sustained contribution to forensic science education or professional development. The award shall be granted once per year, when and if it is awarded. If the basis for the award involves collaborative educational or training endeavors, the group shall be considered as one recipient for purposes of the award. Group members shall each receive an engraved plaque listing all their names.

The names of all recipients of this award shall be listed below.

2026  Alice White

For further information, contact:

Glen Calhoun
International Association for Identification
2131 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 403
Hollywood, FL 33020  USA 
Voice: (954) 589-0628
Fax: (954) 589-0657