Joan Mellen Speech at AARC Conference

[Drew Phipps]

In contrast to the relatively rigorous process of getting certified in the first place (involving written exams, matching and a live mock trial simulation), which Darby did in 1978, the renewal process (required every 5 years) simply involves matching 5 sets of unknown latents with 5 known fingerprint sets within 30 days. From IAI website:

"Recertification

• You will be required to recertify upon expiry of your certification after five years. During that time, you are required to accumulate a minimum of 80 continuing Education/Professional Development credits. (Details here)
  
• You will receive notice from the Latent Print Certification Board Secretary 6 months prior to your expiration date outlining next steps.
  
• You will then receive a package containing a comparison test, designed to test your continued competency. This will consist of five latent prints and five inked cards. The latent prints will all be identifiable to the inked cards provided. All latent prints must be correctly identified to pass this test and you will have 30 days to complete it.
  
• Sign the form to say you completed the test without assistance and return the test to the Latent Print Certification Board Secretary for marking.
  
• If successful, you will receive a letter from the LPCB secretary and your new recertification card.
  
• If you fail the recertification test, or if you fail to respond to your recertification request prior to the expiration date, your certification will be suspended, pending you completing and submitting a new application."
  

Darby was certified in 1978, so his follow-up exams would have been required in 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998. If his certification lapsed in 1998-14=1984, that would imply that he failed to respond to (or just failed) a 1983 test. Too bad the IAI didn't respond to my earlier request, but perhaps with a more specific request...