Crime Scene Certification FAQ’s

Do I have to be a member of the International Association for Identification to be certified?

NO, you do not have to be a member of the International Association for Identification to apply or be certified but we highly encourage you to join the IAI.

How long does the certification last?

Certification is for a period of five years. You must apply for recertification before the end of the five years. (See below)

How does the application process work?

• Ensure that you meet the requirements for the level for which you are applying
• Fill out the applications form as directed
• Send the application form to the Crime Scene Certification Board (CSCB) c/o the IAI office in Hollywood, FL.
• Once the application is received it is time stamped in and the 90 day period starts.
• The duplicate information is forwarded to the local Division in which you reside.
• If there is not a Division in your area it will be sent to a member of the parent body CSCB for review.
• The Division representative will review your application for accuracy, and verify the information that you have submitted.
• After your application is approved you will be contacted by a local IAI Division representative who will make arrangements for a “agreed” upon location to take the test. (Online testing is set for the future.)

  Note: The approval process and testing should take no longer than 90 days from receipt of the application. A certification test may not be out any longer than 60 days from the date it is sent to the proctor.

Once I apply how much time do I have to study the material?

Do not apply for certification until such time as you have studied the required material.

I will be eligible to begin the certification process and had some questions.

How often are the required reading texts changed?

Can you take the test at the IAI Educational Conference?

Yes, if your application is in early enough to be approved. Testing is usually done on Tuesday or Wednesday of the Conference week.

Do any on-line courses count towards the training requirements needed for crime scene certification?

No they do not and this includes all on-line college courses.

Is there a group discount?

No each application requires the same amount of time to process.

The certification fee is high!

Consider that the fee covers five years. That is 30 dollars per year.

I have the qualifications to apply for certification as a Senior Crime Scene Analyst - but should I apply for the Crime Scene Investigator certification and work my way up?

You may apply for any of the crime scene certifications that you qualify for. After studying the material, apply for the certification that you feel most comfortable in being tested for.

If I fail a crime scene certification test how long do I have to wait to reapply to be tested?

I am doing research on Crime Scene investigation, and want to find out what is required to receive a Crime Scene Certification. Does one have to earn an associate or bachelors degree?

No, only the courses listed under the “Continuing Education/Professional Development”

Can I hold two crime scene certifications?

Yes; you will be able to hold one of the certifications in crime scene and also a certification in crime scene reconstruction.

Does the crime scene certification board recommend any exam review training?

The Crime Scene Certification Board (CSCB) does not endorse or recommend any course(s) that involve book review for certification testing. Additionally courses involving this type of material do not count towards the number of required hours for the various crime scene certification programs.

How are the tests created and who sees them?

Certification tests are computer generated, scored electronically and are rotated to ensure the security of the tests. Crime scene certification tests have not been seen by instructors who are preforming book reviews, in fact not all of the certification tests are seen by all members of the CSCB.

Will I be notified that I need to recertify?

Yes, a notice will be sent to you six (6) months prior to your expiration date, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you apply for recertification prior to your expiration date.

Do I have to take a test to recertify?

All IAI Certification programs now require that applicants for recertification take a test to ensure proficiency as part of our accreditation program. Upon receiving and approving the recertification application, the applicant will be mailed a multiple choice test. The applicant has a limited amount of time to complete the test and mail it back. Applicants are required to confirm to the fact that they did not use any supporting/reference material/textbooks to complete the test.

Does the participation/attendance at forensic meetings include classes I have attended in the forensic sciences such as, blood pattern recognition, count as credits?

You cannot count meetings, and the courses within those meetings (sort of double dipping), unless you have a certificate for a workshop, as with the IAI Annual Educational Conference.
(Renewal page)

Take a written test. All recertification testing material will be taken from; “Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation”, by Ross M. Gardner, (2005 Edition all chapters). Note: Upon receiving and approving the recertification application, the applicant will be mailed a multiple choice test. The applicant has a limited amount of time to complete the test and mail it back. Applicants are required to confirm to the fact that they did not use any supporting/reference material/textbooks to complete the test.