How do I become a fingerprint technician?

Fingerprint technicians are an important part of criminal investigations around the world. A latent print left on a glass, a weapon or any other surface, can help aid investigating officers in putting charges to a criminal case. Becoming a fingerprint technician is an arduous process, but one that is ultimately satisfying.

Certification

Get a certification for latent print investigation from the International Association for Identification (IAI), or a school accredited by the IAI. You will need to do 80 hours of technical training in latent print collection and identification. You will need to have a BA and two years experience within a similar field, an Associates Degree plus three years experience in a similar field, or four years experience in a similar field. To get your certification you will need to pass a test where you have eight hours to complete three sections where you have to compare 15 latent prints, 12 of which you must get right, interpret patterns in a set of prints, and fill out a true and false questionnaire. An oral review of a case is also required before an examination board. This will not be required if you have worked in a similar field and have testified as a forensic witness.

Failure of Certification

Take the test again if you fail. If you are new to forensics, the testing procedure might be too hard to pass on the first pass. If you fail to complete the exam the first time, you must wait six months until you can re-take the test if the failure is not due to an erroneous error, defined by the certification board. If you make one or more erroneous errors during the exam you must wait a year before you can take the exam again. When applying again, you must fill out a new application form. If you did not make an error during your test, you will only be required to retake the part of the test you failed, otherwise you will need to take the whole exam over.

Skills Needed for Jobs

Make sure you have the required set of skills for a particular investigative position when you apply. Generally, you must know the procedures of the department you are hired into. Identify and learn the software, hardware and the work flow used to collect and and record fingerprints. You will need to know the local, state and federal laws in relation to the collection of fingerprints in an investigation. It is good practice to have a knowledge of landmark court cases in relation to your state, as well as federal cases, in relation to fingerprint collection and how they can be used in a court of law. Know the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) classification systems for fingerprint collection.

Source:

BLS: Careers in Forensics

The IAI: International Association for Identification