Obtaining an undergraduate degree in a science-related field is the first step toward becoming a fingerprint examiner. After that, the majority of examiners complete an internship or training program. The final step in applying for most fingerprint examiner jobs is to obtain voluntary certification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE).
Some employers accept fingerprint examiner applicants with an associate’s degree because they can learn on the job. However, four-year degrees are the industry standard. Because most fingerprint examiners work in law enforcement, a bachelor’s degree in forensic science is ideal, but degrees in criminal justice are also desirable. A degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field can also be used to become a fingerprint examiner, as these fields provide the foundation for understanding how fingerprints form, why they are unique, and how an examiner physically collects and preserves the prints he finds.
Aspiring fingerprint examiners enroll in a formal fingerprint examiner program, or a fingerprint-based internship, after completing an undergraduate degree. Sheriff’s and police departments, as well as crime laboratories, offer these programs. Some technical colleges also provide training. In some cases, online classes are an option, but hands-on experience is still required to become a fingerprint examiner.
The length of training programs to become a fingerprint examiner varies greatly. They can last anywhere from two weeks to two years, depending on the type of degree obtained, the organization that is providing the training, and the jurisdiction in which the fingerprint examiner wishes to work. Core classes such as fingerprint analysis, print features, fingerprint integrity preservation, and court testimony are available in most programs.
To work as a fingerprint examiner, no certification is required. Those with certification, on the other hand, have more clout with employers and are respected by colleagues in the fingerprint and criminal justice fields. The International Association for Identification is the primary organization that certifies fingerprint examiners (IAI).
Individuals interested in becoming an IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner must meet stringent requirements. A minimum of 80 hours of certification board-approved technical training, two years of full-time experience, a three-part examination, and an oral board test or case presentation are all required. The IAI certification board reviews the examiner’s application and either issues certification or rejects it if all of these requirements are met.
The fingerprinting industry, like all others, evolves over time. For example, technological advancements allow examiners to change how they view prints they find or match them to prints already in a database. To keep their CLPE status, IAI requires that CLPE holders complete at least 80 hours of continuing education every five years and pass a recertification exam.