Iowa Division of the IAI upcoming events

2026 Iowa IAI Basic Crime Scene School (14 Sep 2026)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

2026 Iowa IAI Basic Crime Scene School

This course is approved for 40 IAI Certification hours and includes a one-year membership to the Iowa IAI

Class Dates: September 14th-18th, 2026

Class Times: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM each day, with 1 hour for lunch on your own

Class Location: Ankeny Police Department (411 SW Ordnance Rd, Ankeny, IA 50023)

Cost: $375.00 per student

Class Limit: 24

Contact person: Abigail Sutton (abigail.sutton@hhs.iowa.gov)

CLASS FLYER

CLASS SCHEDULE

This class is in-person and is not virtually offered. Preferred registration will be given to those who are currently employed by a law enforcement agency or crime laboratory. A waitlist will be offered if the class limit is reached.

Registration for this course will close on September 9th, 2026.

Class Topics will Cover:

Crime Scene Photography
Night Scene / Long Exposure Photography
Evidence Collection and Preservation
Evidence Packaging and DCI Lab Standards
Crime Scene Documentation / Diagramming
Fingerprint Processing, Documentation and Collection
Tire Track and Footwear Impression Documentation and Collection
Known Exemplar Collection
Toolmarks and Firearm Evidence Documentation and Collection
DNA Evidence Collection
Mock Scene Practical Exercises

Required Equipment Includes:

DSLR Camera or Mirrorless Camera
Standard lens (18-55 or higher focal length)
Macro/Micro lens (a fixed length lens for a 1:1 ratio shot. This can be 50, 90, 100, or 105mm. This is a requirement for comparison photography, such as fingerprints, shoe-wear impressions, tool marks, etc.)
Tripod & Adapter
Remote Shutter
External Flash and Flash Cord
Flashlight
Camera Accessories (batteries, chargers, extra memory cards)
Laptop with SD Card Reader or SD reader adapter

If you do not bring or share the above listed equipment to class, you will not be able to fully participate and therefore will not receive a training certificate.

Clothing:

Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes or boots to class each day. Class exercises will occasionally be held outside the classroom, so please consider the weather and dress accordingly. The Iowa IAI will not reimburse damaged clothing.

By registering for this course, the student and the agency is agreeing to the following conditions:

Payment must be made in full to the Iowa IAI by September 14th, 2026.
If payment is not received by September 14th, 2026, and additional charge of $25.00 will be added to the original registration cost and must be paid in full by September 30th, 2026.
All cancellations must be received no later than 5:00 PM on September 8th, 2026. Cancellations must be completed either via the Iowa IAI website or by emailing the listed course contact person directly. If a cancellation is not received by the above listed date and time, the agency agrees to pay the full registration amount of $375.00 by September 30th, 2026, or if already paid, will not receive a refund. If a cancellation is received before or by the above listed date and time, a full refund will be provided.
The agency and student understand that if all of the above listed required equipment is not brought to class the student will not receive a certificate or a refund of any kind. Equipment may be shared between up to two registered students.

REGISTER AND PAYING FOR OTHERS?

HOTEL INFORMATION:
Residence Inn by Marriott Des Moines Ankeny
1515 SW Main Street
Ankeny, Iowa, USA, 50023
Book Hotel Reservations Here

Q3 Iowa IAI Training Day: Search & Recovery of Buried Remains (7 Oct 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

2026 Q3 Iowa IAI Training Day: Search & Recovery of Buried Remains

This course is open to all Active Iowa IAI members who are currently employed by a crime laboratory or law enforcement agency or Lifetime Members at no cost. Non-Members are welcome to register for a fee of $50.00 per registrant, and Iowa IAI Student Members may register for a fee of $20.00 per registrant.

If you'd like to become an active member of the Iowa IAI in order to partake in the quarterly free trainings, please go to the homepage and click Join Us to fill out a membership application and pay the membership fee.

Class Date: Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

Class Time: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (lunch will be from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM on your own)

Class Location: Davenport Police Department, 416 N Harrison St, Davenport, IA 52801

This training day will cover the basics of searching, locating, documenting, excavating, and packaging of buried human skeletal remains. Attendees will spend the morning in the classroom and participate in hands-on search and recovery exercises in the afternoon.

This training is designed for patrol officers, detectives, investigators, crime scene investigators, medico-legal death investigators, forensic science students and prosecutors.

Interested in hosting the next Iowa IAI Quarterly Training Day? Hosts get four spots reserved and get to pick the training topic! Please email iowaiaiorg@gmail.com to indicate your agency's interest.

2026 Iowa IAI Educational Conference and Business Meeting (2 Nov 2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

2026 IOWA IAI FALL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE

FFA ENRICHMENT CENTER, ANKENY, IOWA

NOVEMBER 2ND-4TH, 2026

This 2.5 day conference is beneficial for those who are in the forensic science field and/or have the responsibility of crime scene processing, forensic examination or criminal investigation as part of their job duties. Professors and students of criminal justice, forensic science or a related field are also welcome.

CONFERENCE FLYER

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Business Meeting on Day 2 is open to active members for the year of 2026 only

Lectures & Presentations:

Lessons From Cold Cases: Preserving Today's Evidence for Tomorrow's Investigations (Chad Lovig, Iowa Cold Case Unit)
Unidentified Human Remains Project (James McMillan, Iowa Cold Case Unit)
Best Practices for Shooting Scene Defect Documentation (Cassie Salter, CBPD)
Basic Testifying Preparation Techniques for Crime Scene Investigators and Officers (Meggan Guns, Polk County Attorney's Office)
Preparing Cases for Federal Prosecution (SA Christian and SA Jenkins, ATF)
Advanced DNA Sequencing Methods & Genetic Genealogy Updates (Othram Labs)
Footwear & Tire Track Impression Comparison-Updates (Steve Tvrdik, DCI Crime Laboratory)
Blunt and Sharp Force Trauma Evidence & Documentation (Dr. Allison Hade, IOSME)
Aquatic Death Investigations (Dr. Sarah Mormino, The Forensic Diver LLC)

Case Studies:

Case Study: Pulse Nightclub Terror Attack, Orlando, FL (Undersheriff Hopper, Orlando PD)
Case Study: The Staged Suicide of Danielle Dolan, Sioux City IA (Sioux City PD and Dr. Heather Garvin, Des Moines University)
Case Study: The Asante Walker Investigation: Catching a Serial Rapist in Eastern Iowa

Workshops:

Processing & Photographing Reflective Surfaces
Expert Witness Testifying: Preparation for the Certified Examiner
Building a Forensically Sound 3D Laser Scanning Workflow (all types of scanner users welcome!)

Registration Options:

$125.00 – Active Member Registration (includes 1-year membership to the Iowa IAI for the year of 2027). This option should be chosen if you are an active member of the Iowa IAI for the year of 2026 or attended the 2026 Iowa IAI Basic Crime Scene School and would like to attend all three days of the conference.

$175.00- Non-Member Registration (includes 1-year membership to the Iowa IAI for the year of 2027). This option should be chosen if you are not an active member of the Iowa IAI for the year of 2026 and would like to attend all three days of the conference.

$65.00 – Lifetime Member

$45.00 – Students
(must provide proof of current enrollment in forensic or criminal justice courses)

1-Day Registration Available (must register separately for each day if you'd like to attend 2 separate days):

$100.00 - Day 1
$100.00- Day 2
$75.00- Day 3

HOTEL INFORMATION:
Residence Inn by Marriott Des Moines Ankeny
1515 SW Main Street Ankeny
Iowa, USA, 50023
Room Reservations Here by October 1st to get special Iowa IAI rate.

The Iowa IAI will be hosting a Photo Contest at this year's event!

Photo Categories Are:

Forensics / Crime Scene / Law Enforcement: Can include forensic crime scenes, evidentiary casework, research, ceremonies, or training photographs
Just For Fun!: Photographs of anything that makes you smile (within reason, guys, this is a professional conference, okay?)

Interested? Choose the option of YES when asked about the Photo Contest during registration and more information will be emailed to you!

Workshop: Building a Forensically Sound 3D Laser Scanning Workflow (2 Nov 2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

2026 Iowa IAI Conference Workshop:

Building a Sustainable & Forensically Sound 3D Laser Scanning Program: Standards, Competence, and Admissibility in 3D Forensic Mapping

Instructor: Jamie Selves, Collision & Crime Forensic Solutions

November 2nd, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

This workshop will assist in teaching both new and experienced users how to build a scanning workflow for different types of scenarios that are common to crimes scene documentation. No matter the type of scanner you're using, this workshop will give you tips and tricks to make smooth sailing of every scene you scan, and give you information about how to prepare yourself for 3D Scanning court testimony.

Class limit of 20.

All Iowa IAI Workshop dates, times and topics are subject to change.

Workshop: Capturing the Details: Documentation and Processing Techniques for Evidence on Reflective Surfaces (2 Nov 2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:05:00 GMT

2026 Iowa IAI Conference Workshop

Capturing the Details: Documentation and Processing Techniques for Evidence on Reflective and Semi-Reflective Surfaces

November 2nd, 2026 from 10:05 AM to 12:00 PM

Instructor: Hadley Kava, Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office

This workshop provides a practical, hands-on introduction to processing reflective and semi‑reflective surfaces for forensic evidence recovery. Participants will learn how to identify and approach challenging surfaces such as glass, metal, polished plastics, and glossy painted materials. The session will cover the selection and proper use of specialized forensic tools and techniques for developing fingerprints and collecting potential DNA without compromising evidence integrity. In addition, the workshop will emphasize thorough documentation practices, guiding participants through effective forensic photography techniques that minimize glare, capture detail, and preserve evidentiary value. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with practical skills and confidence to process a wide range of reflective surfaces in real-world crime scene and laboratory environments.

Required Equipment:

DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Micro/Macro Lens (fixed length lens)
Tripod and adapter
Flashlight or External Flash/Cord
Remote Shutter
Alternate Light Sources & Camera Filters *not required, but helpful if you want to use your own equipment during the workshop*

Workshop: Expert Witness Testimony: Preparation for the Certified Examiner (2 Nov 2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

2026 Iowa IAI Conference Workshop

Expert Witness Testimony: Preparation for the Certified Examiner

November 2nd, 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Instructor: Meggan Guns, Polk County Attorney's Office

Polk County Prosecutor Meggan Gunn will share practical strategies for presenting forensic findings and crime scene evidence in court. Topics include testimony preparation, communicating complex forensic concepts to juries, and avoiding common courtroom pitfalls-all for the expert witness.

This workshop is focused on certified examiners and crime scene investigators.