Basic and Advanced Fingerprint Classification and Comparison

Forty hour plus 8 hour home assignments. First session (Part One of Two) course provides the capability to recognize, classify and identify fingerprint patterns and their identifying characteristics in order to make identifications involving fugitive apprehensions, questionable identities and, ultimately, latent fingerprint comparisons. Techniques in acquiring electronic live scan finger impressions and inked impressions are demonstrated and practical exercises are conducted by class members.

Class members acquire the capability, through lecture, demonstration, and practical exercises, to recognize, classify, compare and identify complete inked impressions as provided on a ten fingerprint record format. In addition, the class member, provided with fingerprint practice sets, will provide the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) fingerprint classification and the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) classification for each fingerprint card in the set.

Comparisons of individual inked finger impressions against ten print records will be practiced by class members in order to provide them the ability to effect error free identifications. The extreme importance of performing error free identifications will be emphasized to class members.

(Part Two of Two) course will provide the fingerprint examiner the intense instruction and practice in recognizing, classifying and identifying fingerprint patterns and their identifying characteristics. The entire course is dedicated to ensure that the fingerprint examiner is capable of conducting fingerprint identifications error free inasmuch as the law and the science mandate error free identifications.

This course will require the class member to spend the entire period classifying and performing identifications under strict supervision of the instructor.

Class members will be subjected to quizzes and a final exam in order to successfully complete the course.

Home assignments, consisting of approximately one to one and a half hours practice, are required of the class member, therefore, it is recommended that class members have no conflicting engagements.

It is strongly emphasized that this course be completed prior to taking the Latent Fingerprint Recovery Techniques Course, Advanced Latent Fingerprint Course and the Crime Scene Investigation Course.

Class Members meeting the requirements for successfully completing the course will be awarded a certificate of successful completion.

Class Members not meeting the requirements for successfully completing the course but attend the entire session will be awarded a certificate of attendance.

Instructor:  Charles J. Walsh, Special Agent, FBI (Retired)

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