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. 

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 this 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 sys-tem 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 nonprofit 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" below:

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AND APPLICATION
PROCEDURES FOR LATENT PRINT EXAMINERS

I. General Qualifications

   An applicant for certification must be of good moral character, high integrity, good repute, and must possess high ethical and professional standing.
 

II. Educational Qualifications

A 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 one year 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 2 years full-time experience as a latent print examiner (total 5 years experience) equals Bachelor's Degree requirement.

                   or

b.  Three 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.

III. Technical Training

a.  Minimum of 80 hours of formal training in fingerprint matters.

IV. Basic Experience 

a.  Minimum of one year full-time experience in classification, filing and searching of inked fingerprints, 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 four 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. Pattern recognition of inked fingerprints. 

c. The comparison of latent prints to inked prints.

d.  Either oral board testing and/or presentation of a case for review to include a latent print, inked print, charted enlargements and court questions and answers.

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

1. The right to deny certification is reserved.

2. Certificates granted and issued may be suspended or revoked by the Certification Board for any of the following reasons: 

a. A misstatement or misrepresentation, or concealment or commission of a material fact or facts in an application or any other communication.

b. 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.

c. Issuance of a 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 issuance.

d. Unethical conduct or technical error by a holder of a certificate that brings the specialty of latent print identification into disrepute.

3. Action to suspend or revoke may only be taken after at least thirty (30) days advance notice of the charges or 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.

4. Persons holding a valid, un-revoked 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.

5. Certifications in Latent print examination shall be issued for a period of five 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.

6. 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.

7. Membership in the I.A.I., or in any of its state or regional divisions, is not mandatory for certification.

1. Application forms and instructions for their submission may be obtained from the secretary of the Certification Board listed in the I.A.I. Membership Directory.

2. The completed application should be returned to secretary of the Certification Board together with the application fee of $150.00 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) and a signed form affirming the I.A.I. Code of Ethics for Latent Print Examiners.

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.

Latent Print Examiner Certification Renewal 

A.  The certification program calls for re-certification every five years.  This is necessary to determine the activities of the examiner over the previous five years and provide for updating of records. 

B.  Each certified latent print examiner will be notified by letter 60 days prior to the expiration of their certification. 

1.  If no response, a second notification is forwarded 90 days later. The first notification is addressed to the certified examiner's place of employment as listed in the records of the Certification Board.  The second notification is addressed to the examiner's home. 

2.  All certified examiners should complete the application for re-certification form promptly to insure continuous certification. 

C.  The letter shall be accompanied by an application for re-certification form to be completed and returned in duplicate to the Secretary of the Latent Print Certification Board together with a $100.00 re-certification fee.  The applicant shall include a signed form affirming the IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner’s Code of Ethics as stated in Section 2. 

The respective Division Certification Committee in the area in which the applicant for re-certification practices may bill the Latent Print Certification Board for one-third (l/3) of the re-certification fee to cover that committee's expenses and the remainder is to defray expenses of the Certification Board. 

D.  Applicants for re-certification must be able to prove that they have maintained currency in the profession through a system of continuing education. 

1.  Proof will consist of copies of certificates showing attendance or participation in schools, training seminars, educational conferences, or workshops recognized by the Latent Print Certification Board. 

Recognized: 

All I.A.I. Parent Body Conferences
All I.A.I. Division Conferences
Any educational program that in some way relates to latent print work, as a pupil or instructor. 

2.  These certificates must show a minimum of 40 hours continuing education in the field, accumulated over the three (3) year period.  Those certifying after a five-year certification period must show a minimum of 80 hours continuing education in the field, accumulated over the five (5) year period. 

3.  Two copies of these certificates must accompany the re-certification application.  In lieu of the copies of certificates, a letter in duplicate from a supervisor, or instructor, indicating dates, time involved, and type of continuing education received, or given will suffice. 

E.  The same procedure shall be followed on re-certification as initially on certification. 

1.  The re-certification application will be recorded by the Secretary of the Latent Print Certification Board who will forward a copy to the Chairperson of the Division Certification Committee. 

2.  The Division Latent Print Certification Committee shall review the re-certification application, make appropriate inquiries relative to work performed by the applicant during the three/five previous years and make recommendations to the Certification Board. 

F.  Applicants for re-certification must prove continued competency by means of a proficiency test.  After approval of the Division Latent Print Certification Committee, the Secretary of the Latent Print Certification Board will send the applicant a proficiency test. 

1.  Test will consist of three latent prints and three inked cards.  The latent prints will all be identifiable with the inked prints provided. 

2.  The applicant will have thirty days to complete the test and return it to the Secretary of the LPCB for grading.  The applicant will provide a signed statement affirming that he/she took the test without assistance. 

3.  All of the latent prints must be identified to pass the test. 

4.  Failure to identify all of the latent prints will cause the suspension of their Certificate pending the applicant completing a new application for Certification and paying the applicable fee as stated in Section 5 and taking the Certification test as stated in section 3.F.1. a through c.   Failure to apply for testing prior to one year after the original expiration date of the Certificate will cause the revocation of the Certificate.

5. An erroneous identification will cause the revocation of their Certificate for one year.  After one year he/she may apply for Certification and be tested as stated in Section 7.G. 

G. Failure to apply for renewal will automatically place the member in a delinquent status.  Failure to resolve delinquent status within one year will result in revocation of certification. 

After revocation to again become certified, the examiner must submit an application for certification meeting all the requirements for certification currently in effect, and pay the current certification fee. 

John Kilgore
545 Nixon St. 
St. Charles, IA  50240 
U.S.A.

Email: clpesec@netins.net