Since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians, fingerprinting has been used to identify people. It has become an important part of forensic science as a result of scientific advancements over the last 500 years. There are a variety of fingerprinting training options available to you. Fingerprinting courses may be available through private classes or accredited institutions. Manuals or videos for fingerprint training are also options.
Fingerprints are impressions of the epidermal ridges of a fingertip. The identification, classification, and comparison of these impressions is the technique of fingerprinting, also known as dactyloscopy. Because fingerprints are unique to each person, they are often used as a valuable investigative tool. Fingerprints can be identified by comparing collected impressions with other impressions to see if they belong to the same person.
Fingerprinting training is available from a variety of sources. This type of training is provided by private academies that specialize in it. Training can range in length from a few hours to a few days or a week. Many one-day dactyloscopy sessions are offered in the form of seminars or workshops. Many of these courses don’t require any prior experience or training in the field.
Typically, courses will specify which aspects of fingerprint training you will be taught. In this case, it’s usually a good idea to look at the course’s curriculum to see if it’s right for you. Private fingerprint training is also available from some independent companies on an appointment basis.
Many institutions offer a fingerprinting training course as part of their curriculum if you want to work in law enforcement. Individuals who work in law enforcement already have access to supplemental fingerprint training, which is usually provided free of charge. This can help you become more familiar with the most up-to-date techniques in the field while also sharpening and practicing what you already know.
Fingerprint training manuals have been released by organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The basic methods of fingerprint identification, classification, and comparison are described in these books. Many of these manuals are available for free online, giving you a great place to start your training. There are also numerous books written by professional dactyloscopists on the subject. These can be an excellent source of data.
There are also fingerprinting training videos available on the internet. Professional organizations, such as the FBI, produce some of these videos. These types of videos also may provide you with an excellent introduction to the field.