History of the IAI

The International Association for Identification (IAI) is a professional nonprofit corporation dedicated to the advancement of a number of forensic disciplines by providing professional, comprehensive educational opportunities to its members. These educational opportunities include a scientific publication titled Journal of Forensic Identification, an annual conference, and regional training seminars. The chartered divisions hold educational seminars as well.

Presently, the IAI is comprised of over 4000 members from the United States and fifty-one other countries. It is managed by a thirteen member Board of Directors, which includes the immediate Past President as Chairman. The officers consist of President, four Vice Presidents, International Representative, Sergeant-at-Arms, Division Representative, and Historian. In addition, the IAI has an Executive Secretary, Editor, Legal Counsel and Librarian.

In 1914, Inspector Harry W. Caldwell (shown below) of the Oakland, California, Police Department conceived the idea of an identification association to further the aims of the profession. In 1915, he took it upon himself to write numerous letters to bureaus of identification asking them to meet in the city of Oakland for the purpose of forming an organization.

As a result, the "International Association for Criminal Identification" was founded. The membership was comprised of Bertillon Clerks who were converting to the science of fingerprint identification, usually by self study. The first meeting was held at the Poodle Dog Cafe in Oakland, California on October 9, 1915, with Caldwell as the presiding officer. Others in attendance and considered founding fathers were Adolph Juel of the San Francisco Police Department; Clarence Morrill, Police Clerk and Captain C. D. Lee, both from the Berkeley Police Department. The talks and meetings were between October 9th and the 13th, held at the Oakland City Hall. One particular highlight of the first meeting was the definition of "Objects and Principles," which is:

"Let Progress, Truth, Faith, Justice and Faithful Service be the watchwords of our profession, so that when the time of retirement comes, we will conceive that reward, which in fact is the greatest reward one can receive, the knowledge that we have done our task well and have never knowingly or willfully wronged a fellow human."

At the fourth Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, June 11-14, 1918, the word "criminal" was dropped in recognition of the great volume of noncriminal work by ID bureaus.

On December 22, 1919, after the fifth Annual Convention under the laws of the State of Delaware, the International Association for Identification was incorporated. The Officers listed on the documentation are President: Harry W. Caldwell, Oakland; First Vice President: John M. Shea, St. Louis; Secretary-Treasurer: A. J. Reno, Leavenworth; Editor: R. H. Hudspeth, Lansing (Kansas); Sgt.-at-Arms: J. H. Berry, San Bernardino; Directors: J. A. Casey, Baltimore; W. J. Hughes, Dayton; C. S. Morrill, Sacramento; James Anderson, Vancouver (Canada); and Maurice B. O'Neil, New Orleans.

At the seventh Annual Convention in Washington DC, September 21-24, 1921, the IAI achieved considerable attention from the highest level of the United States Government. Members attending the conference were received at the White House and it was during this meeting that the inked fingerprints of President Harding were recorded. This level of influence was maintained for decades, as documents reveal communications between the IAI and Presidents Roosevelt and Truman.

In 1924, the Science and Practice Committee was formed to provide technical assistance to its members. Their sole mission was to assist in the classification of "doubtful patterns."

By 1927, at the twelfth Annual Convention, members were already in pursuit of excellence. A speech given by Clarence S. Morrill called "Speculative Identification" was well received. Mr. Morrill emphasized, "that we should not guess in our work but must be positive in making an identification, regardless of what we are identifying."

By 1929, the IAI had grown into a large professional association as the following committees were in place and functioning: Membership; Resolutions; Credentials; Legislative; Science and Practice; Auditing; Ethics; and Press and Compliments. Additionally, all states had regional vice presidents, currently titled regional representatives. The countries of Australia, Denmark, and Germany had vice presidents as well.

During the period from 1933 to 1937, the IAI published its second journal called "Sparks from the Anvil." (A review of the front covers reveals the broad range of forensic disciplines the IAI had encompassed.) A little known fact is that in 1916, Harry W. Caldwell published the first journal of the IAI called International Association Outlook Journal. In a relatively short time, it was discontinued due to a lack of finances.

The IAI had associations with other publications, however. Its next journal was simply titled, News Letter, and was published from 1938 to 1950. The first Identification News was published in 1950. The publication has gone through other changes to reach the current Journal of Forensic Identification.

During WWII, the IAI encountered its most controversial issue since inception. An alleged fingerprint fabrication was brought to the attention of the Board of Directors. This was associated with the Sir Harry Oakes murder case in the Bahamas. The Board of Directors attempted to charge and try a member but the charges were dropped as the allegations could not be substantiated.

In 1958, the IAI established the John A. Dondero Memorial Award in honor of Mr. Dondero. Conceptualized by his family and adopted by the Board of Directors, this award is the highest

honor an IAI member can receive. It is awarded for the most significant and valuable contribution in the area of identification and allied sciences during the calendar year immediately preceding each Annual Conference.

In 1973, after a three year study, the IAI adopted the policy, "There is no minimum number of points required to effect a positive identification." The Latent Print Certification Program, a rigorous testing process validating a specific body of knowledge, the science of fingerprints, was in place in 1977. By 1990, a Crime Scene Certification Program was functioning with a very comprehensive testing process. Certifications are awarded at three levels, Crime Scene Technician, Crime Scene Analyst, and Senior Crime Scene Analyst.

Your modern day IAI has grown into one of the most prestigious professional associations in the world. At the 83rd Annual Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, over 800 members were in attendance with representation from the United States and 26 foreign countries.

The future of the International Association for Identification is only limited by the imagination of its greatest resource, "Our Members." Harry Caldwell once said the best seat at any of our conferences was the seat taken by its member in the audience (not the head table) for the one thing only, simply to learn.

Thanks to Carey Chapman, the IAI Historian for this enlightening article.