Fingerprint examiners analyze fingerprints to determine the owner and work for government agencies. They collect physical evidence, search and identify fingerprints using a computer database, and testify in court. They require formal training and certification and new technologies can make their job easier.
A fingerprint examiner is a very significant part of an investigation. An examiner analyzes the fingerprints and tries to determine the owner of the prints. These professionals work for government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) or local law enforcement divisions.
Some of the duties performed by a professional fingerprint examiner include dusting fingerprints and collecting physical evidence from crime scenes. Fingerprinting is performed by placing a fine powder on the object to collect fingerprints. The magnetic powder forms an image of a print, which can be seen under light. The examiner may also have to remove certain objects from the scene for further analysis in a crime lab.
Fingerprint examiners also work with immigration officials to obtain fingerprints from people entering and leaving the country. People need to provide their printouts at key entry points to verify identity. Fingerprint identification is required to control immigration and prevent criminals from illegally entering the country. It is up to the immigration agency for that jurisdiction to determine whether a person meets the proper guidelines.
Other tasks that the examiner is responsible for are searching and identifying fingerprints using a computer database. When a fingerprint is taken from a crime scene, it is uploaded to a national fingerprint index. Most agencies in the United States use a program called the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System. Multiple officers can access fingerprints on this system, making it easy to connect criminals to crimes elsewhere.
A fingerprint examiner may have to go to court to testify in criminal matters. The examiner may be required to identify the alleged criminal’s fingerprint and provide details about the criminal’s unique fingerprint map. The examiner’s testimony can be the deciding factor in proving a person’s innocence or guilt, placing the criminal at the crime scene.
Most fingerprint examiners have formal training in evidence processing as well as fingerprint review. Examiners must also hold a certification from an approved trade school or community college. Several universities offer latent fingerprint certificates under the criminal justice or forensic science curriculum.
New technologies can help an examiner’s job become a little easier. Scientists at the University of California are developing a technique for identifying fingerprints based on the chemical residue left by a person’s fingers. If there are prints on an object, the fingerprint examiner can see them in color using light similar to that used in an x-ray machine.
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