Debbie Benningfield, CLPE   Charles M. Richardson, CLPE

Fundamentals of Latent Print Examination

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Course Description

Who really is the “Father of Fingerprints,” and who are some of the important pioneers in our field? Why do we call it the “Science of Fingerprints,” and what is this “ACE-V” all about? As examiners, when we analyze and compare latent prints, we overlook many visual clues because we do things intuitively and do not really thing about what we see. How does our brain interpret data, and are there clues you are overlooking in the friction ridge detail that might be useful to you in our comparison?

Entertainers use palm prints to predict your future, Latent Print Examiners use them to analyze and compare friction ridge detail. Palms can be challenging, but using the “road signs” found within the ridge detail will make you a more efficient examiner. Too often, inked prints do not contain the needed ridge detail to complete an examination. Examiners will learn the importance of Complete Friction Ridge Exemplars, aka Major Case Prints, and how to properly obtain them. How do these manually recorded prints compare to electronically (livescan) captured prints? Can electronically recorded prints capture all the required friction ridge detail needed to conduct a conclusive comparison? What are the “pitfalls” of electronically recorded known prints? These questions will be answered in presentations and subsequent class discussions.

What is “Daubert” and how does it affect you? Can you explain to the jury how you effect an identification? Are your tired of the questions “how many points does it take to make an identification?” Can you explain to the jury in less than three minutes, why you don’t just count point?”

This class is one in a series of courses designed to teach the participant the Fundamentals of Latent Print Examinations and to help them develop practical skills when approaching friction ridge comparisons. Students should come prepared, with their magnifier, to participate in a very intense week. Numerous practical exercises are planned that will emphasize the lectures. Students will work on comparison exercises that will both match and challenge their own level of experience. These exercises are developed to allow the students to work at their own pace.

Students will receive instructions on:

• Basic history and basic principles of the Science of Fingerprints
• ACE-V Methodology
• Basic Searching Smart skills
• Basic Orientation and location of friction ridge detail found in palms
• Understanding of the various capture methods for recording friction ridge detail
• Daubert trilogy