Course Description
Have you been thinking about taking the International Association for Identification (IAI) Footwear Certification Examination, but just not sure if you are ready? Maybe you have questions as to why you should take the certification exam. Here are some answers as to why every examiner should consider IAI certification: 1) external validation as to competency, 2) career enhancement, and 3) advanced credentialing for the court. The 2009 NAS Report recommended certification for all practitioners in their respective disciplines, and this recommendation has been supported through legislative efforts. If you are an aspiring footwear examiner and wish to better yourself by taking the IAI Footwear Certification exam, this course is for you.
This course will direct the student through the application process, eligibility requirements, and ultimately through the testing process. The goal of this course is to provide encouragement and to ease any uncertainty about taking the IAI Footwear Certification exam. Lecture and periodic tests throughout the week will be used to strengthen the students' understanding of the material to be covered on the certification exam.
Target Audience
This course is designed for individuals who have completed their agency's footwear training program, are nearing the end of their training, and are interested in taking the IAI Footwear Certification Exam.
Course Logistics
November 2, 2026 - November 6, 2026
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
11890 S Sunset Drive
Olathe, KS 66061
40
$650.00
Local Contact
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Troy Mohror, Forensic Science Supervisor
913-826-3235
troy.mohror@jocogov.org
Prerequisites
The student should have read the current certification requirements (Sections 8.3 and 8.9 of the IAI Certification Program Operations Manual) and the recommended reading materials before attending this course. Each student will be tested on their knowledge of this material throughout the course and will take two separate IAI Pre-Certification written and practical exams.
Course Schedule
| Duration | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour | Registration Course Overview & Introductions | Material Review: Enhancement | Material Review: Class & RACs | IAI Pre-Cert Exam | IAI Pre-Cert Exam |
| 1 Hour | Overview of the IAI FTW Cert Program | ||||
| 1 Hour | Material Review: Manufacturing | Material Review: Comparison | |||
| 1 Hour | Material Review: Terminology | ||||
| 1 Hour | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1 Hour | Material Review: Detection & Photography | Material Review: Known Shoes, Standards, & Sizing | Material Review: SWGTREAD documents | IAI Pre-Cert Test | IAI Pre-Cert Test |
| 1 Hour | |||||
| 1 Hour | Material Review: 2D & 3D Impressions | Material Review: Wear | Exam Pitfalls & Overview of Pre-Cert Test | Review of Test | Review of Test & Presentation |
| 1 Hour |
Must Bring to Class
Students should bring all the equipment they plan to use during the actual certification test, e.g., magnifiers, calipers, pens, etc. These items will not be provided by the instructor, so each student must bring their own equipment to class. Side/Oblique lighting may be helpful during examinations, depending on the classroom lighting.
Dress is business casual as the course will be conducted in a professional environment and facility.
Recommended Reading
- Bodziak, W.J., “Forensic Footwear Evidence”, 1st edition, 2016, CRC Press
- All SWGTREAD documents.
Course Objectives
- Review of the IAI footwear certification program and requirements for application.
- Review the proper use of footwear terminology.
- Review the proper detection and treatment of footwear impression evidence.
- Review the proper photography of footwear evidence (scene and laboratory).
- Review the proper collection of 2D and 3D footwear impressions.
- Review the proper physical and chemical enhancement of footwear evidence.
- Review the different types of footwear manufacturing.
- Review the proper collection of known standards and the capture of known outsoles.
- Review the proper understanding of footwear sizing.
- Review the proper understanding and use of wear characteristics.
- Review the proper understanding and use of class and RACs.
- Review the proper understanding of the weight given to characteristics during the exam.
- Review the proper understanding of examination methodology
- Review the proper understanding of case documentation for the certification exam.
- Review the proper understanding of the range of conclusions for the certification exam.
- Review the proper use of conclusions for the certification exam.
Course Expectations
Upon completion of this course, the students should have accomplished four things:
- A better understanding of the IAI certification exam requirements.
- A deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- A better understanding of any areas of improvement needed prior to taking the certification exam.
- An increased confidence level in preparation for the IAI Footwear Certification Exam.
Helpful Lodging Information
Although we cannot endorse any particular hotel property, we have confirmed that the following lodging options are within a reasonable commuting distance to the training site.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Olathe
10401 S Ridgeview Rd.
Olathe KS 66061
(913) 353-9280
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Olathe West
10360 S Ridgeview Rd.
Olathe KS 66061
(913) 541-9999