SWGFAST Standards for Minimum Qualifications and
Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner Trainees
Note a few revisions in the document:
1) The title of the document now clarifies that it
applies only to trainees, not to examiners trained to competency.
2) The preamble clarifies why the document is
combined for latent and tenprint examiners. It cites the IAI Resolution
2009-10 which states that both communities practice the same discipline.
(exact wording should be posted soon to the forum)
3) The preamble also clarifies that the degree
requirement is intended not to apply to friction ridge examiners already
trained to competency.
4) Henry classification was moved from a minimum of
"Understanding" to "Awareness"
5) New objective 4.1.12
6) over-all clean-up of the
document.
The comment period is listed on the website as being through January
29, 2010. There will also be a way to submit comments through the
SWGFAST website very soon. I will announce that in the Detail as
soon as it's available.
I
would encourage you to review the document in it's intended .pdf
format from the SWGFAST website. You can access the previous version
of the document text in the Detail 415 on the Archives page. SWGFAST
will soon be making available the older versions of all documents on
their website, so stay tuned for that update as well.
_________________________________________
REVISED DOCUMENT FOR COMMENT
STANDARDS FOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
AND TRAINING TO COMPETENCY FOR FRICTION RIDGE EXAMINER TRAINEES
(LATENT/TENPRINT)
(To Replace: Minimum
Qualifications for Latent Print Examiner Trainees, ver.
2.1, Training to Competency for Latent Print Examiners,
ver. 2.1, and Minimum Qualifications and Training to
Competency Standards for Latent Print Examiners, ver.
1.0 Draft For Comment)
Preamble
This outline provides the recommended
training program to achieve competency as a friction ridge examiner
trainee. A friction ridge examiner conducts analysis, comparison, and
evaluation on impressions from the raised portion of the epidermis on
the palmar or plantar skin. Complex friction ridge examinations occur in
latent print and tenprint environments.1
1 See the International Association for
Identification Resolution 2009-10
The friction ridge examiner trainee must
demonstrate knowledge of required objectives by successfully completing
written tests and practical exercises. The trainee must also communicate
an understanding of the objectives and underlying principles. It is also
strongly recommended that trainees demonstrate knowledge of the
supplemental objectives listed in this document.
Prior to becoming a friction ridge examiner,
candidates shall possess a bachelor’s degree. The degree shall be from
an accredited institution and shall include science-related coursework.
This degree requirement is not intended to apply to friction ridge
examiners who are already trained to competency.
In addition to the objectives listed below,
the examiner must achieve competency in the objectives outlined in the
following SWGFAST documents: Standards for Conclusions
and Friction Ridge Examination
Methodology for Latent Print Examiners.
Instructors and mentors must have
demonstrated competency in the topic areas they instruct.
The training period for a new trainee in the
field of friction ridge examination shall consist of thorough
instruction (e.g., mentor sessions, research and papers, presentations,
moot courts), continued testing, and apprenticeship (supervised
casework) for the following duration:
Latent Print
Minimum: One year of full-time latent print
work with the majority of the time spent on the analysis, comparison,
and evaluation of impressions.
Recommended: Two or more years of full-time
latent print work with the majority of the time spent on the analysis,
comparison, and evaluation of impressions.
Tenprint
Minimum: Six months of full-time tenprint
work with the majority of the time spent on the analysis, comparison,
and evaluation of impressions.
Recommended: One or more years of full-time
tenprint work with the majority of the time spent on
the analysis, comparison, and evaluation of
impressions.
1 Required Objectives
1.1 Performance and Time
Requirements (e.g., minimum passing score, minimum or maximum completion
time requirement)
1.2 Principles and
Foundations
1.2.1 Understand the
basic foundations for friction ridge examination (persistence and
uniqueness) as a means of identifying the source of an impression
1.2.2 Understand the
biology and physiology of friction ridge skin
1.2.3 Knowledge of the
history of fingerprints
1.2.4 Understand the use
of fingerprints, palmprints, and footprints in criminal and civil
applications
1.3 Friction Ridge
Pattern Recognition and Interpretation
1.3.1 Understand common
terminology (e.g., arch, loop, and whorl) and definitions associated
with friction ridge pattern recognition
1.3.2 Understand pattern
recognition and interpretation associated with operational needs of the
individual agency
1.3.3 Understand friction
ridge formations as they relate to recognition, interpretation, and
individualization
1.3.4 Awareness of
classification systems (e.g., Henry, American, Vucetich, NCIC)
1.4 Friction Ridge
Examination (Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification)
1.4.1 Understand the
individual friction ridge structure (e.g., continuity, texture, pore,
and edge definition) for determining the existence of individualizing
details
1.4.2 Ability to analyze
friction ridge details to determine the value for comparison
1.4.3 Ability to
recognize and utilize friction ridge flow, scars, creases, and other
friction ridge details for supporting the examination
1.4.4 Ability to
recognize and properly determine, when possible, the area from which the
friction ridges originated
1.4.5 Knowledge of how to
properly analyze friction ridge impressions and understand effects such
as processing technique, color reversal, pressure distortion, slippage,
and overlays
1.4.6 Ability to properly
conduct a comparison
1.4.7 Ability to render a
proper and accurate conclusion
1.4.8 Understand the
practice and purpose of verification by another competent friction ridge
examiner
1.4.9 Understand the role
of quality assurance measures in friction ridge examination
1.4.10 Knowledge of
various methods used to record known friction ridge impressions and the
ability to properly evaluate ridge structure based on each method
1.4.11 Knowledge of
alteration and mutilation of friction ridge skin
1.4.12 Knowledge of
genetic abnormalities of friction ridge skin (e.g., dysplasia, cuspal
patterns, dissociated ridges)
1.4.13 Knowledge of the
benefits associated with obtaining elimination prints and complete
friction ridge exemplars
1.4.14 Knowledge of
simultaneous or adjacent friction ridge impressions and their value for
examination
1.4.15 Awareness that
different policies and standards exist in the
United States and other countries
regarding friction ridge identification (individualization)
1.4.16 Awareness of the
impact(s) resulting from an erroneous conclusion
1.5 Friction Ridge
Detection and Preservation (Required for latent print and recommended
for tenprint, based on the operational needs of the individual agency)
1.5.1 Knowledge of the
generally accepted techniques for the detection and visualization of
friction ridge impressions
1.5.2 Ability to assess
the effectiveness and results of applied processing techniques
1.5.3 Understand
generally accepted preservation methods for friction ridge impressions
1.6 Documentation of
Examination
Understand the level of documentation
(Required for latent print and recommended for tenprint, based on the
operational needs of the individual agency)
1.6.1 Case records
1.6.2 Chain of custody of
the evidence
1.6.3 Latent print
processing
1.6.4 The examination
process
1.6.5 Evidence marking
1.6.6 Report writing
1.7 Communication
Ability to accurately explain friction ridge
examinations and conclusions in written and oral form
1.8 Legal Issues
1.8.1 Understand the role
of expert witness testimony
1.8.2 Knowledge of
factors regarding the admissibility of evidence
1.8.3 Knowledge of
relevant court cases and case histories
1.8.4 Understand the
rules of discovery and evidence
1.8.5 Knowledge of
applicable legal challenges to admissibility
1.8.6 Understand critical
challenges to the discipline
1.9 Demonstration of
Competency
Ability to demonstrate all phases of training
through practical exercises
1.10 Professional
Development
1.10.1 Participate in
continuing education
1.10.2 Awareness of
relevant professional organizations and publications
1.10.3 Adherence to a
code(s) of professional conduct
2 Supplemental Objectives
2.1 Principles and
Foundations
2.1.1 Understand early
methods of personal identification (e.g., scars, marks, tattoos,
Bertillon system)
2.1.2 Awareness of
personal identification methods other than friction ridge skin (e.g.,
iris scan, face identification)
2.1.3 Understand the
applications of friction ridge impressions for manual or automated
repositories for “single print” and “unidentified friction ridge
impressions”
2.1.4 Understand the
objectives outlined in the SWGFAST Standard for Friction
Ridge
Automation Training (Latent/Tenprint)
2.2 Professional
Development Goals
2.2.1 Continued formal
education
2.2.2 Contribute to
educational opportunities (e.g., seminars, conferences, schools,
lectures)
2.2.3 Membership in
relevant professional organizations
2.2.4 Achieve
International Association for Identification (IAI) or equivalent
professional certification in tenprint or latent print examination, as
applicable