About us

History of the
Alaska Investigators Association
AIA is an outgrowth of mutual professional interests. For years investigators in Alaska considered creating an organization to promote their profession.

At the 1993 Criminal Defense Conference held in Anchorage, a variety of occupational specific concerns were raised, providing the synthesis for the foundation of this organization. In 1994 the structure became more formalized, with the election of board members, and later obtained non-profit status.

AIA encourages and promotes the highest ethical practices of the profession; fostering and perpetuating a state wide forum and spirit of cooperation among members and with similar organizations; to further establish a mutual feeling of trust, goodwill and friendship; advocating for the needs and interests of the profession before the legislative, administrative, and judicial branches of local, state and federal governments.

Message From
Our President
I am both excited and honored to serve as the President of the Alaska Investigator's Association (AIA) for 2007.

The benefits of membership are numerous. AIA affords its' members the ability to participate in continuing educational opportunities, to network with other investigators and agencies and to combine resources to maintain the professionalism of our industry in Alaska. There is strength in numbers.

Part of that professionalism entails the immense amount of hard work by AIA members who are working diligently towards obtaining Licensure on a state level for Professional Investigators. I, as well as many others, feel it is imperative to have this licensing legislation in place. To have licensure on a state level affords benefits such as the opportunity to self-regulate, ease of obtaining bonding and insurance, and more teeth when it comes to protecting our ability to access information and data in an age of ever-increasing restrictions. It also brings our profession an entirely new level of credibility. This profession is ever growing and expanding, and I feel it is important for all of us to be in step with these changes via professional licensure.

Other benefits to AIA membership include a monthly newsletter, annual educational conference and a restricted-access email forum for the exchange of ideas, information and techniques. Nationally recognized speakers have presented educational tracks for past conferences as well as numerous service providers and vendors donating their products and services.

I am looking forward to 2007 being a phenomenal year for AIA, and I look foward to working with my fellow Board and Association members to make this happen. Join us in striving to elevate the standards and reputation for all Alaskan investigators.

Denise Petty , President
Alaska Investigator’s Association