Forensic Video Certification Requirements

Applicant Requirements to take the test:

  1. An applicant for certification must be of good moral character, high integrity, good repute, and must possess a high ethical and professional standing.
  2. All applicants must submit two letters of endorsement from individuals other than themselves, one of which must be from an individual actively working in the area of forensic video. One letter must be from a current IAI member. These should be addressed to James Schroering, the Chair of the Forensic Video Certification Board.
  3. Technical Training Required:

    Minimum of 120 hours of instruction in fields of study related to forensic video is required. The course hours must have some type of certificate of completion. Courses without certificates offered to meet the aforementioned training requirements will be evaluated by the Board.

    A minimum of three (3) years of current practice within the discipline of Forensic Video, including the required 120 hours of training, must be documented.
    1. Dates of training course must be provided.
    2. Documentation required for time in discipline may be provided in the following manner:
      1. Transcripts of testimony (electronic copies only)
      2. Articles published (electronic copies only)
      3. Instructional activities (documented)
      4. Other means of establishing time in discipline (to be approved by the board)
    3. Documentation provided will be approved by review and at the discretion of the board.
  4. Education Requirements:
    1. A Bachelor’s Degree plus three (3) years full-time experience as prescribed by the video certification board.

      OR
    2. An Associate Degree (or documentation of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college credits) plus four (4) years full-time experience as a prescribed by the video certification board.

      OR
    3. Five (5) years full-time experience as prescribed by the video certification board.
  5. Experience Required:

    An applicant for certification must be primarily employed in the field of Digital and Multimedia Evidence (DME) for a minimum of three (3) years. Their duties must include forensic video.

    A significant portion of an applicant's daily work should involve forensic video. This must include the performance of examinations, but may also include testifying, training/instruction, and research. Other duties may also be considered provided that documentation is submitted at the time of application.

    The Certification Board will evaluate the applicant's experience and determine whether this requirement is met. The Board may ask for clarification or additional information in order to make a determination.

    In the event that an applicantion is denied, a written explanation of the reasons for the denial will be provided, along with instructions should the applicant wish to appeal.
  6. Fees

    Non-refundable application fee of $200 (US) for IAI members and $300 (US) for non-members must accompany any application.
  7. General Provision Concerning Certification
    1. The right to deny certification is reserved by the Forensic Video Certification Board.
    2. Applicants who are denied certification by the Forensic Video Certification Board may appeal such action in writing to the IAI Board of Directors within sixty (60) days of such notification.
    3. The certificate issued by the IAI is non-transferable. They remain the property of the IAI. However, every person to whom a certificate has been issued shall be entitled to its continued possession unless, or until, such certificate is revoked.
    4. Certificates are issued for a period of five (5) years, subject to renewal upon application by a member. Such application for renewal shall be subjected to standards in effect at the time of the request for renewal and payment of the established fee.
    5. Membership in the IAI, or any of its state or regional divisions, is not mandatory for certification.
    6. Certificates may be suspended or revoked by the Forensic Video Certification Board for any of the following reasons:
      1. Violation of the IAI, or Forensic Video Certification Board code of ethics.
      2. A misstatement, misrepresentation, concealment, or omission of a material fact or facts in an application or any other communication related to certification.
      3. Conviction of a holder of an IAI certification, or holder of an IAI certification, by a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony, or any crime involving moral turpitude.
      4. Issuance of a certificate contrary to, or in violation of, any of the laws, standards, rules, or regulations, of the IAI: or determination that the person certified was not, in fact, eligible to receive such certificate at the time of its issuance.
      5. Unethical conduct, or other conduct, by a holder of a certificate that brings the specialty of Forensic Video into dispute.