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International Association for Identification (The following article was published in the March 1995 issue of 4N6 the official publication of the Iowa Division of the International Association for Identification.)
by JOHN KILGORE; C.L.P.E. I have fielded several questions regarding the I.A.I. Latent Print Certification program. As a result, the members of the Iowa Certification Committee, Lt. Dennis Kern of the Davenport Police Department, Director Darwin Chapman of the DCI and I decided to write an update of the program. The attached document will provide information on the background, purpose, and requirements of the certification program, so I will not address that here. The title Certified Latent Print Examiner or C.L.P.E., is certainly one to aspire for if you are a latent print examiner. True, it is not necessary to have the title C.L.P.E. to be an excellent examiner. But the only yardstick to measure skills and abilities compared to one's peers is the certification program. In order to assist potential applicants who have not had the benefit of a structured training program in latent print examination, I will list books and classes that will aid interested persons with the certification examination. Of course, the FBI Basic and Advanced Schools are usually the place most people start. These classes provide a good background, are well taught and are very inexpensive. The fingerprint classes held at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia are some of the very best available, but the waiting list is very long. The class entitled Demystifying Palmprints taught by Ron Smith of the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory is another excellent class from all reports, especially since many people have more trouble with latent palmprints that latent fingerprints. Nearly every day, pamphlets are received concerning some form of latent print training held at or by some law enforcement agency. Finally, some of the finest training in latent print matters is available from the I.A.I. The parent body of the I.A.I. holds an excellent training conference each year, and the regional divisions also conduct training conferences at least once a year.
There are many very fine books and publications that an applicant can read to prepare for the certification examination. The FBI publication “The Science of Fingerprints” is normally the first fingerprint book anyone reads, and it's still very good. “Scott's Fingerprint Mechanics” by Robert Olsen and “Friction Ridge Skin” by James Cowger both provide tons of information. “Advances in Fingerprint Technology” edited by Dr. Henry Lee and Dr. R.E. Gaensslen gives a very good overview of significant advances in the science in the last few years. All of these books provide information that will be helpful for the certification examination. These books and many other fine publications are available from Lightning Powder Company in Salem, Oregon. This is not meant as free advertisement for the company, but I know these books are listed in their catalog. It should be noted that the very best way to get proficient at latent print examination is to work side by side with a qualified examiner in an apprenticeship program. Making comparison of latent prints versus inked fingerprints is the very best practice for the examination. By far, the comparison part of the examination is the aspect that causes the most problems for applicants. Also, it will be necessary to have marked progression during the training period. We all start identifying latent prints with a hundred characteristics. The person who hopes to pass the certification test must get to the point where he/she can recognize and identify those latent prints that are very challenging but still suitable for identification. Until the prospective certification applicant is at this point, the certification examination should not be considered. The attempt of becoming a Certified Latent Print Examiner should not be taken lightly. The examination is very challenging and only 48.7% of the applicants pass the test. If the examination is passed and certification achieved, the examiner can be very proud for he or she has joined one of the most select groups in the forensic sciences. If anyone is interested in becoming certified or has any other questions, please feel free to contact myself or any of the other board members.
The need unequivocally to identify latent print examiners qualified to provide essential professional services for the nation's judicial branches of government has been long recognized. In response to this need and to a professional mandate, the Latent Print Certification Board was established at the 62nd Annual Conference of the International Association for Identification in New Orleans, LA, August 4, 1977, to provide in the interest of the public and of the criminal justice system, a program of certification in latent print examination. In purpose, function and organization, the Latent Print Certification Board is analogous to the certifying boards of other specialties and scientific fields. The objective of the board is to establish, enhance, and revise as necessary, standards of qualification for those who practice latent print examinations, and to certify as qualified specialist those voluntary applicants who comply with the requirements of the board. In this way the board aims to make available to the judicial system and to the public, a practical and equitable system for readily identifying those persons professing to be specialists in latent print examination who possess the requisite qualifications and competence. Certification is based upon the candidate's personal and professional record of education and training, experience and achievement, as well as on the results of a formal examination. The International Association for Identification, under whose auspices the Latent Print Certification Board was established, is a non--profit organization incorporated in the State of Delaware. The board is composed of members whose principal discipline is in latent print examination and who serve staggered terms. Excerpts from the board's Standards for Certification in Latent Print Examination are contained in the statement on “Qualifications and Requirements for Certification in Latent Print Examination” which follows. Requirements For Certification And Application I. General Qualifications An applicant for certification must be of good moral character, high integrity, good repute, and must possess a high ethical and professional standing.
II. Educational Qualifications Bachelor's Degree plus 3 years basic experience as required by Section IV. or: Experience can be substituted for the Bachelor's Degree requirement at the rate of two years full time experience as a latent print examiner for one year of college credit on the following basis: a. An Associate Degree (or documentation of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college credits) plus 3 years basic experience as required by Section IV plus 4 years full--time experience as a latent print examiner (total 7 years experience) equals Bachelor's Degree requirement. or: b. Three years basic experience as required by Section IV plus 8 years full--time experience as a latent print examiner (total 11 years experience) equals Bachelor's Degree requirement. Educational requirements are not applicable to recertification. III. Technical Training a. Minimum of 40 hours of formal training in classification, filing and searching of inked fingerprints, and : b. Minimum of 40 hours of formal training in latent print matters. IV. Basic Experience a. Minimum of one year full--time experience in classification, filing and searching of inked fingerprint, and b. Minimum of two years' full--time experience in the comparison and identification of latent print material and related matters, or c. If less than one year's experience in classification, filing and searching of fingerprints, then must have a minimum of three years' experience in the comparison and identification of latent print material and related matters. d. If less than full--time experience for the given time periods is possessed, times must be accumulated to reach an acceptable minimum. V. Endorsements All applicants for certification must submit two letters of endorsement. If the applicant is employed by a public law enforcement agency, one letter shall be from a superior within the applicant's department or agency and one shall be from an associate in the field of print identification certified by the I.A.I. and who is a member of either a state or regional division and/or the parent body. If an applicant is using the experience substitution to meet the educational requirements, letters of endorsement should include information concerning the number of years basic, and full--time experience the applicant possesses. VI. Examinations Certification shall be determined by testing to encompass three areas: a. Written test--The applicant will be required to pass a written test covering both technical aspects and the development of the science of fingerprint identification. b. Classification of inked fingerprints and comparison of latent to inked prints. c. Either oral board testing and/or presentation of a case for review to include latent print, inked print, charted enlargements and court qualifying questions and answers. -- If the applicant has already testified in a court of law as an expert, he may submit a case for review, or may submit to the oral board testing. -- If the applicant has not given testimony in a court of law as an expert, he shall be required to undergo oral board testing. VII. General Provisions Concerning Certification a. The right to deny certification is reserved. b. Certificates granted and issued may be suspended or revoked by the Certification Board for any of the following reasons: 1. A misstatement of misrepresentation, or concealment or commission of a material fact or facts in an application or any other communication. 2. Conviction of an applicant for certification or holder of a certification by a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude. 3. Issuance of certificate contrary to or in violation of any of the laws, standards, rules or regulations of the I.A.I., or determination that the person certified was not in fact eligible to receive such certificate at the time of its insurance.
4. Unethical conduct or other conduct by a holder of a certificate which
brings the specialty of latent print identification into disrepute. c. Action to suspend or revoke may only be taken after at least thirty (30) days advance notice of the charges for reasons for such action has been given to the individual concerned and an opportunity for such person to be heard has been provided by the I.A.I. d. Applicants who are denied certification by the Certification board may appeal such action to the I.A.I. Board of Directors in writing within sixty (60) days after the issue date of such notification. e. Persons holding a valid, unrevoked certificate by the Certification Board are entitled to use the designation “Certified Latent Print Examiner” in conformance with the standards of the International Association for Identification. f. Certifications in Latent print examination shall be used for a period of three years, subject to renewal upon application by the member. Such application for renewal shall be subject to standards in effect at the time of request for renewal and payment of the established fee. g. Certificates issued by the International Association for Identification are non--transferable. They remain the property of the I.A.I. but every person to whom a certificate has been issued shall be entitled to its continued possession unless and until such certificate is revoked. h. Membership in the I.A.I., or in any of its state or regional divisions, is not mandatory for certification. Procedures For Application And Certification 1. Application forms and instructions for their submission may be obtained from the secretary of the Certification Board. 2. The completed application should be returned to secretary of the Certification Board together with the application fee of $100.00 which is not refundable. Hence, only those persons who believe they clearly meet the stated qualifications and requirements for certification should submit applications. 3. Attach two (2) recent photographs to the application. The applicant must also attach two (2) letters of endorsement (see section V. under Qualifications and Requirements for Certification). 4. Qualifications, requirements, and application procedures for certification are subject to revision by the Board. The latest official version is always obtainable from the secretary of the Certification Board.
(Editor-- The following certification test information is added to the
original article published by John Kilgore)
IAI Certification Test Part 1 Comparison of 15 latent prints with inked prints. Must correctly compare 12 of the latent prints with no erroneous identifications. Passing score 80% Part 2 Classification of 5 fingerprint cards by modified Henry (FBI) system. Passing score 90% Part 3 True & False, Multiple Choice Questions relative to history of fingerprints, classification and latents. Suggested study materials include the F.B.I.'s “Science of Fingerprints”, Lee's “Advance's in Fingerprint Technology”, Olsen's “Scott's Fingerprint Mechanics” and Moenssen's Fingerprint Techniques”. Passing score 85%
These three parts of the test are given in one 6 hour time period and then returned to the Secretary of the Certification Board for grading. If the applicant does not complete the above test in a satisfactory manner, he/she must wait six months before being eligible to again apply for certification and only the sections not passed will need to be taken. If there is an erroneous identification, he/she must wait one year before reapplying and the complete test will have to be retaken. If completed in a satisfactory manner, the fourth and final part of the test is as follows: Part 4 If the applicant for certification has previously testified in a court of law to a latent print identification, he/she must submit a case for review. If the applicant has not testified, he/she must participate in a mock trial as the expert fingerprint witness.
In order to qualify for certification as a latent print examiner by the IAI, the applicant must complete all four parts of the test in a satisfactory manner.
This article was reprinted in “THE PRINT” |