by John Kilgore, C.L.P.E.
Secretary, IAI Latent Print Certification Board
 
 
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.

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.
 
 

Background, Functions and Purposes of the Latent Print Certification Board

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.

Qualifications and 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:

• 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:

• 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.

Educational requirements are not applicable to recertification.

III. Technical Training

• Minimum of 40 hours of formal training in classification, filing and searching of inked fingerprints, and :
• Minimum of 40 hours of formal training in latent print matters.

Starting January 1, 1999 technical training will change to 80 hours formal training in latent print matters.

IV. Basic Experience

• Minimum of one year full--time experience in classification, filing and searching of inked fingerprint, and
• Minimum of two years' full--time experience in the comparison and identification of latent print material and related matters, or

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. 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.
2. Pattern recognition and comparison of latent to inked prints.
3. 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

• The right to deny certification is reserved.
• 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.

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

Click here to e-mail the Chairperson of the IAI Latent Print Certification Board