July 2015 Greetings!
In This Issue
Thirty years ago, police began integrating "the 21 foot rule" into their training programs
The Forensic Forum速 The "21
for new officers. But does the 21 foot rule guarantee officers' safety, or is it simply a long-standing myth? In this issue Ron Martinelli separates fact from fiction in training procedures and considers additional safety factors ranging from psychophysiology, to equipment and competency, to firing accuracy, to perception lag time. We are left with
Foot Rule"- Forensic Fact or Fantasy?
an answer to the question: is "the 21 foot rule" fantasy or forensic fact? Then, in How
"How dangerous is it that this
Dangerous Is It That This Man Goes Loose, Kendra M. Devor and G.I. Wilson explore
man goes loose!"
the "complex, perplexing, and tangled web" of violence. What, in a person's history, is the strongest indicator that that person is likely to commit a violent crime? Is violence, as some studies indicate, not something that can be predicted at all? Devor and Wilson look to forensics research as well as Shakespeare to find out.
ES23 Announcement
Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC Certified Medical Investigator
Quick Links Renew Online Certification
Free Continuing Education (CE) To take CE's you will need your: ID: Password:
CSI Cast to Attend ES-23
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Forensic Visionary Award Innovations that Lead to Science Join us to honor cast members from the popular CSI television show. David Berman (portrayed David Philips, aka "Super Dave", for 289 episodes) and Jon Wellner (portrayed Henry Andrews for 126 episodes) have been CSI stars since 2005. Throughout their appearances, they have stressed the importance of responsible
Maintenance and Membership
research in vetting experts, and ensuring that the technology depicted maintained realistic integrity. Their efforts contributed to the show's success, an increase in public science awareness, and a drive to push the technological advances forward. It is for all these reasons that they have been selected by the American Board of Recorded Evidence as the first recipients of the prestigious "Forensic Visionary Award Innovations that lead to science" award. This award will be presented during the Executive Summit in Santa Barbara, California. We look forward to seeing you and hope you can benefit from all of the learning opportunities that are being made available for you at this year's summit. There will be one more Forensic Examiner before ES23. August is just around the corner.
Fee Discount Receive 10% discount towards yearly maintenance and membership when you sign up for automatic dues. Simply call us to sign up at: 800-205-9165
Referral Refer a member and receive $25.00 Member Bucks
This years Executive Conference will be held at the campus of UC Santa Barbara, on August 6-8, 2015.
OR Refer 3 member and receive a one year Free Renewal of your
If you have questions, please contact us at 800.205.9165. Thank you for your
membership
contribution and dedication.
Looking to Hire
Please visit http://certfa.org/es23/
Someone?
for ES23 registration.
Certified Forensic Consultant training @ ES23 ACFEI's Certified Forensic Consultant seminar taught by Dr. Paul Friedman will count for 6 Minimum Continuing Legal Education credits from the State Bar of California at ACFEI's 23rd Executive Summit at the University of California in Santa Barbara. Participants attending the seminar and passing the exam will be eligible for the Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC certification and receive 6 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education credits. ACFEI is working with the State Bar of California to have the exam count for MCLE credit after conference and be available all year for CFC applicants. Register for the Executive Summit today! If you want to only attend the CFC seminar, test for the credential, and receive MCLE credits, contact Judy Simpson for inquiries at 800.423.9737 or email at judy@acfei.com for details.
The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is always looking to help their members find qualified help in building their practice or business. Send the editor a description of the professional you are seeking to hire and ACFEI will put the announcement in its newsletter. Please specify if you prefer your potential hires to hold CCI, CFC, or any other certifications. Email the editor at editor@acfei.com.
Looking for Experts It is the mission of The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute to continually strengthen
Verification of CE approval
and improve the quality of our certifications in the field of forensics. As such we are
Articles
currently looking for members, that have a professional background in criminal investigation, to provide
The Forensic Forum速 The "21 Foot Rule"- Forensic Fact or Fantasy?
feedback on the Certified Criminal Investigators exam. If you have multiple years experience in criminal investigation and would be willing to assist us as we review the CCI exam contact Brittany Kiser
at:
By:
Ron Martinelli, PhD
Brittany.Kiser@acfei.com
Officers throughout the United States have heard use of force instructors discuss the "21 Foot Rule" during officer safety, firearms, and deadly force training. As a use of force instructor and a practicing forensic police practicing expert, Martinelli has also trained, and testified to this concept.
Sincerely, Brittany Kiser Director of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute
New Members
READ MORE
All new members of ACFEI and
About the Author
certifications issued by ACFEI Ron Martinelli, PhD is a nationally renowned forensic criminologist and law enforcement expert who directs Martinelli & Associates and Justice & Forensic Consultants, Inc. Dr. Martinelli is Team Leader of the nation's only multidisciplinary Forensic Death Investigations Team. His firm assigns an
can be viewed HERE. Thanks for joining, and welcome to The Forensic Examiner.
Looking for Submissions
Independent Review Team to investigate high-profile officer-involved shootings and
As always we are looking for
in-custody deaths.
regular content for The Forensic Examiner. If there is anything you would like to submit please contact us.
He can be reached at www.drronmartinelli.com or at (951) 719-1450. Go HERE for submission guidelines. Or email us at
"How Dangerous is it That This Man Goes Loose!"
editor@acfei.com
Visit our Sister Organizations
By:
Kendra M. Devor and G.I. Wilson, CPP, CFC, DABFE Shakespeare's King Claudius opines in Hamlet, "How dangerous is it that this man
American Association of Integrative Medicine
goes loose! Yet must not we put the strong law on him." Indeed, "this is a question to which the courts, lawyers, mental health professionals and the general public all want to know the answer" (Hucker, 2005, p. 1).
READ MORE American Psychotherapy
About the Authors
Association
Dr. Devor has a BA in Economics (specializing in quantitative analysis) from San Diego State
American Board for Certification in Homeland Security
University, a master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University and a doctorate degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at the Irvine, California campus.
Members in the News
She is currently doing her post-doctoral working as a clinical psychological assistant in Orange County, California. She guest lectures on behavioral emergencies for military and civilian college students at Palomar College. Her areas of interest are psychological trauma especially as related to military, law enforcement, emergency services personnel and their families.
Were you in the news? Send ACFEI a press release or publication of your involvement in a forensic related event to the editor@acfei.com.
Dr. Devor has served as a volunteer field operations representative in Ghana, Africa becoming the Co-founder of Kindred Spirits, an organization founded to create an orphanage and school for street children with disabilities. In addition, she has traveled to Sierra Leone, working in a psycho-social children's camp, along with participating in field research on female genital mutilation/cutting and rehabilitation of child soldiers.
GI Wilson is a retired Marine Corps combat veteran with over 40 years of combined experience in military operations, law enforcement, and risk assessment. He is a
Recertification Policies Recertification policies are being strengthened for all American College of Forensic Examiners Institute certifications. All new and current certifications and renewals will be for a three (3) year period. In compliance with third-party accreditation, the American College of Forensic
board Certified Protection Professional (CPP),
Examiners Institute requires
Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC), and
certification holders to remain in
Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic
good standing by being current
Examiners. He teaches in the Administration of
with maintenance fees or
Justice (AJ) Program (Homeland Security, Investigations, Law Enforcement) of Palomar College while serving as a North San Diego County Gang Commissioner. His areas of interest are criminal behavior, gangs, psychopathy, incarcerated military veterans, terrorism, and emerging threats. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, master's degrees in Security Management from Webster University, and Forensic Psychology from Argosy University.
membership dues, submitting the required 30 continuing education units every three years for recertification, and upholding the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute's code of conduct. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Registrar via email
Featured Certifications Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC
or by phone at: Jeff Thornsberry MA, Ed. S Director of Education 417-823-2528 Jeff.Thornsberry@ACFEI.com
ACFEI Offers NBCC Clock Hours! The Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC program will help prepare the forensic professional with the necessary knowledge and information to successfully testify in
American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI) is excited to announce we are now
court in a professional manner. In the courtroom environment, experts in various fields
able to offer NBCC (National
are asked to provide testimony and evidence on differing professional topics. Forensic
Board of Certified Counselors)
consultants will be assessed on knowledge and competency in areas relating to
credit to our members to meet
consultation services, litigation processes, general legal principles, witness' payment,
their licensing and re-certification
the discovery process, the deposition, and the trial.
needs. We will be offering courses totaling over 60 clock
Certified Medical Investigator
hours of NBCC credit. This a great opportunity for our members in the mental health field to obtain needed NBCC clock hours. This opportunity is available to ACFEI members. ACFEI is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-
The Certified Medical Investigator 速, CMI program helps prepare professionals to be competent and confident medical investigators. With five distinct levels, the CMI program was developed to provide those in the forensic specialties with a base of knowledge that prepares them for the intricacies of the legal process that follow identifying and securing a piece of evidence.
approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program. For a fee of $5.00 per clockcredit hour our members will now
Member Profile Elaine Ducharme PhD ABPP Elaine Ducharme, PhD ABPP, Fellow in the American Psychological Association (APA) and Diplomate in the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI), is pleased to announce the publication of her new book, the Assessment and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder, a comprehensive look at this fascinating disorder with clear and practical guidelines. Dr. Ducharme has worked with children and families for over 30 years. She has specialized in the treatment of trauma and abuse and has worked with both victims and perpetrators. She maintains a private practice in Glastonbury, Connecticut and is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford. She is the author of Must I Turn the Other Cheek, a book about the effects of premature forgiveness on recovery from sexual abuse, as well as various other publications. READ MORE Copies of Assessment and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder may be purchased HERE, directly through Dr. Ducharme at www.drelaineducharme.com, or at Amazon.com.
ACFEI Offers ACCME Credits! The American College of Forensic Examiner's Institute is excited to announce we
have the opportunity to not only receive the ACFEI credit for approved CE courses completed but they can also obtain a certificate of completion for NBCC clock hours of credit. By simply going on to the CE online catalog, members will see a new tab labeled NBCCApproved CE'S. Our members then know that those courses will be qualified to meet the NBCC standards for clock hours of Continuing Education Credit. Once they complete the course the CE assessment and course evaluation the member will receive a certificate of completion noting the number of NBCC clock hours received for the course completion. We look forward to offering more of these types of continuing education opportunities to our members in the future and if you wish to author an article for NBCC credit, contact us as well. Educationally, Jeff Thornsberry MA, Ed. S Director of Education 417-823-2528
are now able to offer Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
Jeff.Thornsberry@ACFEI.com
(ACCME) credit to our members to meet their medical licensing and re-certification needs. We will be offering courses totaling over 35 clock hours ACCME credit. This a great opportunity for our members in the health field to obtain needed ACCME credits. For a fee of $10.00 per clock-credit hour our members will now have the opportunity to not only receive the American Psychotherapy Association credit for approved CE courses completed but they can also obtain a certificate of completion for ACCME clock hours of credit.
Acknowledgement HONOR FLIGHT of the OZARKS gives gratitude to the American College of Forensic Examiner's Institute. READ MORE
When you go to the CE online catalog, members will see a new tab labeled ACCMEApproved CE'S. You then know that those courses will be qualified to meet the ACCME standards for clock hours of Continuing Education Credit. Once you complete the course, the CE assessment and, evaluation the member will receive a certificate of completion stating the number of ACCME clock hours received for the course completion.
Disclaimer The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, and/or The Forensic Examiner does not endorse, guarantee or warrant the credentials, work, or opinions of any individual member. The opinions and views expressed by the authors,
We look forward to offering more of these types of continuing education opportunities to our members in the future and if you wish to author an article for ACCME credit, contact us as well. ACFEI is also able to offer ACCME for the following certifications Certified Medical Investigator-IV , Certified Medical Investigator-V and Certified Forensic Physician, CFP.
publishers, or presenters are their sole separate views and opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner, nor does the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner adopt such opinions or views as its own. The American College of Forensic Examiner Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner does not assume any responsibility or liability with respect to the opinions, views, and
As many hospitals will pay for the obtaining of ACCME credits this would be a great opportunity to obtain these valued certifications and be reimbursed for them. If you have any questions concerning these credits contact:
factual statements of such authors, publishers, or presenters, nor with respect to any actions, qualifications, or representations of its members or subscriber's efforts in connection with the application or use of any information, suggestions, or recommendations made by ACFEI or any of its boards, committees,
Jeff Thornsberry Director of Education for The American College of Forensic Examiner's Institute Phone: 417-823-2528 Jeff.Thornsberry@ACFEI.com
Our office hours are: M-F 7:30AM to 5:30 PM Central Standard Time, UTC-6
Call Brittany Kiser for membership and certification inquiries at 800.423.9737 or email at Brittany.kiser@acfei.com. To contribute to our E-Newsletter contact our editor at editor@acfei.com. Sincerely, ACFEI Team
publications, resources, or activities thereof.