LEVA Board of Directors Announces Fee To Be Assessed For Certification Renewals. Details
Committee Members
- JJ Ruano (Chair)
- Minerva Tineo (Deputy Chair/Mentoring)
- Stacey Bailey
- Erik Griffin
- Mark Porter
- Derek Williams
Graduates of the “Level 1: Forensic Video Analysis & the Law” course can apply to enter the Forensic Video Analyst Certification program.
ALL LEVA CFVAs and CFVTs must maintain a yearly concurrent membership as a requirement of certification. Failure to maintain an active membership may result in a suspension of certification and potential revocation.
IF your membership expired prior to Dec. 31, 2019, please contact LEVA’s Executive Secretary Susan Krawczyk execsec@leva.org before processing your membership renewal online.
NOTEWORTHY:
LEVA offers two levels of certification for forensic video analysts: Certified Forensic Video Analyst (CFVA) and Certified Forensic Video Technician (CFVT).
Basic distinctions:
A Certified Forensic Video Analyst (CFVA) is one who has performed video evidence processing for at least two years, meets the electives requirements and successfully completes the LEVA courses Level 1 “Forensic Video Analysis & the Law”, Level 2 “Digital Multimedia Evidence Processing, Level 3 “The Principles of Forensic Video/Image Compare and Contrast” and Level 4 “Advanced Forensic Video Analysis & the Law” core courses within a six-year period. This track is designed for certification of individuals who process video and still imagery, perform full analysis and present opinion testimony on that evidence in court.
A Certified Forensic Video Technician (CFVT) is one who has performed video evidence processing for at least one year and successfully completes the Level 1 and Level 2 core courses within a three-year period. This track is designed for certification of individuals who process video and still imagery but do not perform full analysis.
For further details please see the PDF forms listed under the “Certification” tab of our main menu.
LEVA has provided forensic video analysis training since 2000. It is widely recognized as the global standard for this specialized instruction.
In 2002, the core instruction team of LEVA’s “Forensic Video Analysis and the Law” course established the groundwork for the first of its type certification program.
“Most agencies limit their video technicians to simple enhancement tasks,” cites Grant Fredericks, a pioneer in forensic video analysis and principal architect of LEVA’s certification program. He adds, “…and they rarely go further than crude attempts at image clarification.” He concludes that, “Such a narrow approach to the science of forensic video analysis severely limits their potential impact on important investigations.”
Fredericks says, “LEVA’s Certification Program establishes an important foundation for minimum standards and provides analysts with the tools and experience to ensure agencies they are getting the most value out of their video evidence.”
Digital forensic video analysis and multimedia evidence processing are still relatively new when compared to the nearly century old tradition that still photography has enjoyed in the courts. LEVA legal instructor and attorney Jonathan Hak said, “As with all ‘new’ sciences, the courts must be satisfied that the science is technically sound and that the witness using the science is properly qualified.” He says, “LEVA’s Certification Program assists in further establishing the legitimacy of forensic video analysis and will help to ensure a positive reception of the analyst’s evidence in court.” Hak asserts, “Certification is an important objective standard by which to judge the competence of analysts.”
That competence will indeed be earned. There are formidable educational hurdles. Once all requirements are met, the candidate meets the LEVA Certification Committee which poses questions to the candidate regarding a case submission. Once passed, the person is certified by LEVA as a Forensic Video Analyst. The certification must be renewed every three years. There’s also an annual review of the analyst’s curriculum vitae (CV). A key component is the Code of Ethics designed especially for this program. Applicants must affirm they will adhere to that Code when in the certification process and while certified as an analyst.
Please direct any questions regarding the Certification program to JJ Ruano, LEVA Certification Program Manager, certification@leva.org.