SPOTLIGHT INVESTIGATIVE CFL in Safes and Vaults: The Requirements By Tom Resciniti Demont, AHC, CAI, CFDI, CFL, CMIL, CML, CMST, ICML, IFDI, ARL, President, IAIL I ’ve received a number of calls asking about the new CFL certificate for safes and vaults, including the requirements to achieve a credential for Cer- tified Forensic Locksmith (CFL) in Safes and Vaults. Following is an outline of what needs to be completed to achieve that credential. You must meet the requirements for sitting for the CFL test in all categories. 1. You must be an active member of IAIL, ALOA and/or SAVTA for one year prior to applying for the test. a. IAIL and ALOA members can test for Automotive or General category. b. IAIL and SAVTA members can test for Safes and Vaults. 2. Dues to both IAIL and ALOA and/or SAVTA jointly must be current. 3. The fee to take the test must also be paid to ALOA (rate to be set by ALOA Educa- tion). However, the fee has traditionally been $150 to sit for the test. If you’re sit- ting for a second category, there’s an additional $100 fee if taken at the same time. If taken at any other time, the cost is $150. (The reason you’d want to take an ad- ditional category is to receive an additional certificate for each category passed to add credibility to your CV. When recertifying your CFL, you’ll need to recertify for both and pay $50 for each once approved.) 4. The following required classes must be completed prior to sitting for the test: Forensic locksmithing (two-day class) Auto theſt and fire forensic vehicle theſt examinations (for automotive and general) Safes and vaults attempted opening examinations (for safes and vaults) Forensic report writing for the investigative locksmith Evidence; introduction to identification, collection, handling and presentation for the investigative locksmith Forensic case management Forensic photography Safes and Vaults testing requires that you have achieved either your Certified Pro- fessional Safe-Tech (CPS) or your Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST). 5. You must meet a 75-point criteria for sitting for the test. For instance, prior ALOA or 12 KEYNOTES DECEMBER 2015 IAIL certifications: AHC – 20 Points; CAI – 20 Points; CRL – 10 points; CPL – 10 points; CML – 20 Points; CPS – 10 points; CMST – 20 points; CFDI – 20 Points; CJIL – 10 Points; CMIL – 20 Points; Completion of accredited Po- lice of Fire Academy – 20 points; AA Degree – 10 Points; BA Degree – 20 points; Masters Degree – 25 points; Doctorate degree – 30 points; Prior tri- als where you’ve testified as an expert witness – 20 points (must submit dock- et number and venue for each trial). 6. You also must author a 500-word-or- less article suitable for publishing in Keynotes magazine in the field of fo- rensics or a locksmith trade-related area (the article must be approved by a committee prior to sitting for the test). 7. There are no grandfathering provi- sions for past CFL achievements! 8. All must take the mandatory 100-ques- tion test. 9. The candidate has a choice of taking one of three electives: General, Automotive or Safes and Vaults. One must pass the mandatory test prior to taking the elective. Don’t forget to give yourself a giſt of IAIL Life Membership when you pay your 2016 dues. Have a great holiday season and a prosperous New Year! om Resciniti Demont, AHC, CAI, CFDI, CFL, CMIL, CML, CMST, ICML, FDI, ARL, has been a fea- ure writer for Keynotes ince 1978. He is president ces Inc., a technical con- e Pittsburgh, PA area. He is the president of IAIL and the immediate past president of ALOA. He can be reached at [email protected] or at technicalser- [email protected]. WWW.ALOA.ORG
