To become a fingerprint examiner, one must earn an undergraduate degree in a science-related field, complete an internship or training program, and obtain voluntary certification as a CLPE. Certification is not necessary but highly respected. The International Association for Identification (IAI) offers certification, and those who hold it must meet strict requirements and continue education to maintain their position.
The first step to becoming a fingerprint examiner is to earn an undergraduate degree in a science-related field. Most examiners complete an internship or training program. Obtaining voluntary certification as a CLPE (Certified Latent Print Examiner) is the last step required to apply for most digital print examiner jobs.
Some employers accept the associate degree from fingerprint examiner candidates as they can learn on the job. Four-year degrees are the industry standard, however. A bachelor’s degree should ideally be in forensic science, but degrees in criminal justice are equally desirable due to the fact that most fingerprint examiners help with law enforcement. It is also possible to become a fingerprint examiner by majoring in biology, chemistry, or a similar field, as these areas provide the foundation for understanding how fingerprints form, why they are unique, and how an examiner physically collects and preserves them. the impressions you find.
Upon completion of graduate school, aspiring fingerprint examiners enter a formal fingerprint examiner program or fingerprint-based internship. These programs are available at police and sheriff departments, as well as crime labs. Some technical colleges also offer training. Online classes are an option in some cases, but you still need hands-on experience to become a fingerprint examiner.
Training programs designed to enable someone to become a fingerprint examiner vary greatly in size. They can last from two weeks to two years, depending on the type of degree, which organization is offering the courses, and the jurisdiction in which the fingerprint examiner wants to apply. Most programs offer core classes such as fingerprint analysis, printing capabilities, preserving fingerprint integrity, and courtroom testimony.
It is not necessary to obtain certification to become a fingerprint examiner. Those who hold certification, however, have more influence with employers and are respected by others in the fields of fingerprinting and criminal justice. The main agency offering certification for fingerprint examiners is the International Association for Identification (IAI).
Individuals who wish to become a certified latent print examiner through the IAI must meet strict requirements. This includes a minimum of 80 hours of certification board-approved technical training, two years of full-time experience, completion of a three-part exam, and an oral board test or case presentation. When all these requirements are met, the IAI’s certification board reviews the examiner’s request and either issues certification or rejects it.
The field of fingerprinting, like other industries, evolves over time. For example, advances in technology allow examiners to adapt the way they view found prints or combine them with existing prints in a database. As such, the IAI requires those who hold CLPE status to obtain a minimum of 80 hours of continuing education every five years and take a recertification exam to maintain their position.
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