IABPA registration

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After years of work, research and cases using the analysis of bloodstains  profiles finally, in 1983, an analyst named Hebert Leon MacDonell created what would become an important step towards the dissemination of this area in the world: The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA). With its current headquarters in New Jersey, United States, the IABPA publishes and continuously develops the study of bloodstain profiles in the world. It promotes international congresses in several continents, editions of technical scientific journals and   awards for research in the area . In addition to its headquarters in the United States, it has regional organizations in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A recognized professional as a bloodstain analyst is almost always a member of the IABPA. 

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To be a member of this Association, however, the forensic professional must initially have a formal 40-hour course in bloodstain profiling. The 40-hour course is what we call a level I course. Then there is the level II course, also called "advanced course" and there are more specific ones such as Blood Fluid Dynamics , Bloodstains on Tissues, Blood Search and Revelation Latent etc. However, Level I and II courses are the basis for all other levels and it is essential that they are of good quality.

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To approve a Level I course, the IABPA requires the course instructor to be a full member  of this Association and have advanced training in the field. The instructor must submit their educational plan in advance for review which is reviewed by the IABPA educational committee and posted on the IABPA website. Qualitative evaluation of the training with the participants also  can be requested. The IABPA, importantly, does not certify any participant. Its function is to accept  plano de Ensino  submitted in order to verify if it meets the minimum standards required. 

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To date, Criminal Expert Antonio A. Canelas Neto, IABPA registration 3,950, is the only instructor with an authorized educational plan in Latin America. Upon passing our 40-hour training, the participant will be able to become a member of the IABPA and receive their registration from this Association.

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It should be understood that behind this process there is a standardization effort. The objective is that there is a certain guarantee of quality in training in the area, avoiding professionals who are "self-named" specialists and who promote courses in the area without proper standardization or without due maturity in the subject. We suggest caution with courses taught by instructors who are not IABPA members, no matter how full of academic titles their curriculum or no matter how tempting the marketing and reputation of the educational institutions involved. Inquire for your instructor's IABPA registration number (if they have one) and ask for their level of training specifically in the area of bloodstain profiling. In the case of long-term courses (40 hours or more) ask if it has already been reviewed by the IABPA Education Committee.  If in doubt, you can also consult the IABPA at www.iabpa.org providing the instructor name.

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By taking these precautions, you will be able to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, such as, for example, realizing that you have learned wrong concepts and procedures. In addition, you will have greater assurance that your certificate has credibility among other bloodstain analysts or even in international judicial systems.

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