ACFEI: Uniting forensics professionals with training, education & certification courses

Publisher: American Optometric Association | Date: 11/03/03

Source: American Optometric Association, Nov 3, 2003 Issue

Citation: ODs quickly gaining acceptance within forensics. (2003, November 3). AOA News, 3-4.

Six months after establishing an optometry arm of the American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI), membership in the organization has grown to 37 members.

Forensics is opening a new and interesting avenue for ODs, often times allowing them to use skills they did not know they had.

ACFEI invites optometrists who are interested in forensics to consider membership. Britt Blackwell, O.D., of Rockhill, SC, became intrigued after reading of forensic optometry and the ACFEI in the April 21, 2003 AOA News.

"After seeing the story in AOA News, I immediately contacted ACFEI," said Dr. Blackwell. "While I've never seen the TV show CSI, it seemed like something very interesting to do. In July, I attended the ACFEI meeting in New York, taking classes for two days for the CMI-V designation."

After being involved in politics in Rockhill for many years, Dr. Blackwell saw forensics as a way to stay involved in his community. As a standard matter of practice building, Dr. Blackwell posts ads in his local paper announcing what CE and other professional education he's recently attended.

"Before I could even think about it, the local Coroner, after seeing my newspaper ad, called me asking if I could work with him part time," explained Dr. Blackwell. "I'll be going out with him on cases, and filling in when he's gone. It's incredibly interesting to work with a crime scene puzzle."

The local Crime Scene Investigation unit has passed a committee vote for Dr. Blackwell to be involved in crime investigations.

"I'm very excited with this great opportunity," he said. "I'm going into it as a medical professional with medical training from optometry school and practicing. Of course having the optometric background is helpful. Just last week, I even had an attorney call to discuss horizontal gaze nystagmus involving a DWI case for his client.

"Forensics has really opened up an exciting avenue for me. I urge other ODs to get involved."

At the recently completed ACFEI annual meeting (Oct. 9-11, 2003) in Scottsdale, AZ, optometric participation and testing hit an all-time peak. At all ACFEI meetings, the organization offers the Certified Medical Investigator (CMI) program which has testing levels from I to V, V being the highest level, which doctors of optometry are qualified to test.

In Scottsdale, three more ODs took the CMI-V examination, after four had been granted CMI-V credentials after the July meeting in New York. Thus far, 15 ODs have taken the various levels of CMI certification.

"At our CMI course, it was amazing to see how surprised the optometrists were when they realized how qualified they already were to be CMIs," said ACFEI Member Services Director Marianne Schmid.

More than 500 professionals from around the world attended the Scottsdale meeting. Homeland Security courses were presented by military, public health officials, former CIA personnel, response team members, and more.

Bob Bertolli, O.D., founding member of the ACFEI optometry arm, even gave a one-hour presentation on the detection of exposure to weapons of mass destruction through ocular signs.

Later in the meeting, Dr. Bertolli was granted the first-ever "Distinguished Member" award for his quality work and leadership within ACFEI. Currently, Dr. Bertolli and fellow ACFEI Optometry Arm co-founder C.J. Forkiotis, O.D., are in the process of submitting more and more forensic optometry continuing education courses for COPE approval. Possibilities include:

• Forensic Optometry Crime and Disaster Scene Identification;
• Behavioral Optometric Techniques for Profilers;
• The Optometric Police Surgeon in the Officer Selection Process;
• and Behavioral Optometric Therapy for In-Service Officers

For optometrists who wish to get involved in teaching the visual science behind the standard field sobriety test, the course, "The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) / Drug Recognition," is available and COPE approved. Members of the Optometry Arm of ACFEI encourage ODs to learn, observe, and get involved with HGN.

"The American Prosecutor's Research Institute recognizes the optometrist as a potential expert witness to support the visual science behind HGN," said Dr. Bertolli.

The ACFEI is a 9,500-member not-for-profit independent, scientific and professional society. Multi-disciplinary in scope, the society actively promotes the dissemination of forensic information.

"Assisting law enforcement and the judicial system is a great way to use your optometric degree in a very different and incredibly interesting way," said Dr. Bertolli. "Optometry should be well represented in forensics considering the skills and education involved.

ODs should call 417-881-3818 or visit www.acfei.com.