Step 1:
"The first step to become a Field Investigator is to join or renew your membership with MUFON. Only members in good standing can achieve Field Investigators status".
Step 2:
At the top of Mufon’s Home Page is “Find a Chapter.” Please access this and find your state and contact your state director. Talk with your state director and let him/her know that you are interested in becoming a field investigator. This will give you a chance to ask questions and allow the state director to thank you for your interest, ask questions, and be your contact person if you require further information. This is a first requirement. There may be times when a state director is not available, so after several tries please contact Steve Hudgeons, Director of Investigations at doi@mufon.com.
Purchase a copy of the MUFON Field Investigator's manual at Investigator Manual. To ensure that only competent investigators conduct witness interviews, on-site investigations, and collateral contacts with public agencies and others, formal Field Investigator training is essential. The MUFON Field Investigator's Manual is the basic reference for training. All trainees must possess an original copy of the Manual and become completely familiar with its contents.
Step 3:
Self study the MUFON Field Investigator Manual or attend a training class conducted by your local chapter (if available). You can find your local chapter at http://www.mufon.com/MapPages/MapPage.html by clicking on your state. Then complete the open book MUFON Field Investigator's exam, a copy of which is included in the Field Investigator's manual. Send your completed exam for grading to the address listed on the exam. Also, please make sure you either email a professional portrait photo of yourself (.jpg format 448H X 336W pixels at 300dpi) to hq@mufon.com or by mail to MUFON, 262 Wilmer Ave. Cincinnati, OH. 45226. Please include your name and MUFON ID #.
In order to be promoted to the position of Field Investigator, every member must achieve a favorable score on the MUFON Field Investigator's Exam (passing overall score of at least 80%). The purpose of administering the exam is to evaluate the individual's practical knowledge in respect to both potential UFO and IFO (identifiable flying object) reports from the public. The exam consists of onehundred questions in twelve specific areas: light and optics; sound; electromagnetic properties; measurements; physical traces; photography; radio and radar; celestial objects; atmosphere and
Before engaging in actual investigation stemming from a UFO report, the Field Investigator Trainee needs a thorough grounding in the following areas:
• Investigative Ethics. Most importantly, the Trainee must understand and adhere to the tenet of anonymity (withholding witness identifiers from persons who are not part of the UFO report investigation or its evaluation within MUFON).
• Interviewing Methods. Preparation, controlling the setting, the sequence of obtaining a complete account, recognizing sensory perceptions, analyzing witness body language, active listening, interpreting the oral account, and drawing conclusions are all vitally important.
• Collateral Contacts. In a given circumstance, the Trainee must be aware of which public officials and/or others to contact in order to potentially resolve the report as a misperception, determine the person’s reliability as a witness, or identify others who may have witnessed and reported the same event.
• Technical Background. A working knowledge should be conveyed to the Trainee on the subjects of weather anomalies, astronomy, conventional aircraft (especially lighting configurations), space satellites, photographic equipment and methods, and the soil sciences.
• Back Ground Check. MUFON will conduct a criminal "Back Ground" check on all applicants prior to issuance of a MUFON Field Investigator designation. If MUFON determines the Back Ground check is not acceptable to MUFON, the Field Investigator designation will not be issued to the applicant.
Step 4:
Although it is not required, it is highly recommended that once you pass your exam and achieve Field Investigator status that you accompany a current experienced MUFON Field Investigator on one or more live investigations before attempting an investigation on your own. Please contact your MUFON State Director to coordinate mentoring opportunities.
You can find your State Director’s contact information at the MUFON directory map (click on your state).