theaic.com

Hello,
My name is Jesse Joy and I am the newly chosen president of the Arizona Identification Council (AIC). I am replacing Ed Miknaitas who has served as President for the past 5 years. Ed’s experience, guidance and leadership will certainly be missed and I hope to step forward and continue moving the association progressively ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ed, as well as all other Officers and Board members who have selflessly donated their time and knowledge to further the organization, for their hard work and commitment.

For those of you who don’t know me I would like to give a brief history: I am a retired Tucson Police Department Detective and currently the sole Crime Scene/Evidence Technician for Eloy Police Department. I have been a member of AIC since 2004 and served as Sergeant at Arms since 2006. In the past I also served as an officer of the Arizona Automobile Investigators Association (AATIA): two years as Sergeant at Arms and three as Vice-President. I also formed and chaired the initial legislative committee for the Arizona Association of Property and Evidence (AAPE).

Now that you know about me, let’s talk about the association! As most of you are aware, the AIC is the Arizona state organization for those individuals engaged in forensic identification, investigation, and scientific examination of physical evidence. We currently have over ???? members and are affiliated with our parent organization, the International Association for Identification (IAI).

Two of the primary goals of our organization are to: provide educational opportunities for our members in order to keep them apprised of the latest techniques and discoveries in scientific investigations and to bring persons who are actively engaged in the profession of identification and scientific investigation of physical evidence into an organized body.

In order to accomplish these goals we need to communicate! Unfortunately over the past couple of years we, as an organization, have had some severe issues with this process. Newsletters, dues notifications, and even applicants acceptance in to our organization have not been sent out or acknowledged. There are numerous reasons and excuses that we can use to justify our breakdown in communication but the bottom line is: IT’S UNACCEPTABLE! I am currently addressing this issue and intend to have it resolved in the very near future.

Since there have been some serious communication concerns in the past, I would ask anyone who currently has a problem to feel free to contact me directly through either phone (520) 464-3460 or e-mail jjoy(at)eloypd(dot)com. I will attempt to resolve any issues that I’m made aware of as soon as possible.

I would also request that anyone who may have been frustrated with our (the AIC’s) services in the past please give us the opportunity, at this time, to correct those problems and to assist us in progressing forward. Your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and assistance can help forge this organization into a stronger, beneficial, and more productive group.

We currently sponsor yearly training seminars where renowned professionals present the most current information and research in forensic identification. In addition, workshops representing most of the AIC’s disciplines, provide members with training and the latest new developments in forensic science.

This conference is held each year at different locations, and members are apprised of the site and dates early in the year for their convenience in making travel and accommodation arrangements. Recently we have united with the Nevada and Utah Divisions of the IAI and held Tri-State conferences to improve both training and professional contacts. The last training conference was held Sept. 29th through Oct. 3rd (2008) in Mesa and provided some excellent educational opportunities for all attendees. Next years conference will be in Nevada, probably in the Las Vegas area, so keep your eyes open for the announcements (the exact date and location have yet to be determined).

We also hold monthly meetings to discuss upcoming training needs and desires, exchange ideas, and discuss any new legal issues or other business that may involve the association and its members. The meetings are held in different locations on a volunteer basis. These meeting are open to all members and I would encourage you to participate. If you are interested in sponsoring a meeting at your Department, please let us know.

I hope to initiate some one day training sessions around the state in the upcoming year. These will be held on a quarterly basis, on various subjects. They may range from reviews of important cases presented by case participants to specific classes in reference one of the many disciplines that the AIC represents or anything else that our members might want to have presented. I will certainly need your ideas, input, and assistance in arranging these meetings.

On an ending note: I would once again encourage all AIC members to become more active in your organization! Your ideas, participation, and assistance will allow us to offer more opportunities for useful, educational, and interesting training for all members. I am hoping to see the AIC grow and flourish in the upcoming years but this will not happen without your help and support. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your support.
Jesse Joy
President
Arizona Identification Council