A fingerprint technician is a forensic scientist who works with law enforcement agencies to use fingerprint evidence to identify criminals or victims. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a certification course in fingerprint technology are usually required to become a fingerprint technician. Some degree programs will also require you to complete an internship before graduating. After that, you must apply to law enforcement agencies or other organizations that employ fingerprint technicians.
A bachelor’s degree in forensic science or criminal justice is required for most fingerprint technician jobs. This type of degree usually takes four years to complete if you are studying full time. General education or liberal arts courses are common in the first two years of this degree, and they provide a broad knowledge base for students in all fields of study. In the last two years of college, students will take classes that are more specific to their field of study. Courses in physics and chemistry will be required for forensic science majors, while criminal justice degrees will focus more on sociological studies.
Many degree programs will require you to complete an internship in your field of study. You should look for an internship that involves fingerprint technology as much as possible. This will give you relevant experience as well as contacts in the criminal justice field, both of which will be beneficial to you as a fingerprint technician.
You can also choose to complete a certification program to become a fingerprint technician. These can be obtained through colleges or private businesses. This certification will teach you how to recognize fingerprints by sight or using cutting-edge fingerprint technology. Although this certification is not required by all agencies to work as a fingerprint technician, it may give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
When you’ve finished your education, you’ll be able to apply for jobs as a fingerprint technician. The majority of fingerprint technician jobs are available through government agencies, such as local or state law enforcement agencies, which are required to post job openings on the internet. Hospitals and private investigation firms are two other companies that occasionally hire fingerprint technicians. You might be able to learn about job openings through your college’s career center.