Fingerprint Classification, Comparison, and Identification

This three-day introductory course is designed to teach law enforcement personnel the value and uses of fingerprints for human identification, fingerprint classification and introduce them to the process of comparison and identification. This includes fingerprints of prisoners, wanted persons, or otherwise unidentified persons. Evaluation of crime scene prints will also be discussed so personnel can better determine which prints have value and should be submitted for comparison. Attendees will learn to examine fingerprints during exercises, classify prints, and begin the process of comparison.

Upon completion of this course, students should understand basic principles of classification of fingerprints, NCIC codes, and the use of fingerprints for identification. AFIS and “live scan” technologies will be discussed. This course would be beneficial for jail personnel, supervisors, investigators, booking officers, police officers, and those responsible for detention and release of prisoners wanted by outside jurisdictions. This course will also assist crime scene personnel to properly process for latent evidence, recover higher quality prints and evaluate that evidence at the crime scene so that valuable latent impressions are not discarded.