FINGERPRINT COMPARISON AND IDENTIFICATION COURSE



Course Length: Five (5) Days                             Click here to jump to Course Schedule
 

Instructor:  Ivan R. Futrell     (540) 659 6450,  Fax (540) 657 1619
                                             E-mail: fgpt@msn.com
                                             Web Site: www.onin.com/ivan

Over 49 years experience in the science of fingerprints.  Retired FBI, Assistant Unit Chief, Latent Fingerprint Section, Laboratory Division, Washington, DC.  Thirty-seven years with the FBI.  Thirty years experience as a Latent Print Examiner with the FBI, including 10 years assigned to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia as an Instructor of Fingerprint Identification.  Seven years of experience in classifying, searching and filing inked fingerprints.  From FBI retirement to present, employed as a consultant and instructor in the science of fingerprints.  Member of the International Association for Identification (IAI) and Fellow of The Fingerprint Society.


Course Objectives:

This course is designed for law enforcement personnel who are or will be working with Automated Fingerprint Systems and who desire to gain the knowledge on how to compare and identify fingerprints and those who are studying to become Latent Print Examiners. Course is designed to expand the student’s knowledge and confidence when comparing fingerprints.   Course will provide detailed instruction and helpful hints in order to make faster and always accurate fingerprint comparisons.  A significant number of practical exercises consisting of fingerprint pattern interpretation and comparison of inked fingerprints to inked fingerprints and latent prints to known fingerprints and palm prints will be conducted.  There will be lectures on Latent Print Development Techniques and how to prepare for Expert Testimony.

Learning Goal:

The student will possess the knowledge and ability to identify the eight basic fingerprint patterns; know the IAFIS fingerprint pattern classification codes now used by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.  Study and be able to relate to others the scientific basis of friction ridge identification.  Acquire and apply the scientific methodology (ACE-V) utilized in examining friction ridge detail.  Become familiar with the factors addressed in Daulbert, in order to admit scientific evidence in court.  Expand the student’s knowledge and confidence when comparing fingerprints and      
accurately compare fingerprints by identifying or eliminating individuals.

Performance Objectives:

Upon completion of training the student will be able to:

1. Explain the differences in fingerprint classification and fingerprint identification.

2. Identify the eight basic fingerprint patterns and describe the arch, loop and whorl using terminology that a jury would understand.

3. Demonstrate the IAFIS codes used to classify fingerprints.

4. Recite the four factors addressed in a Daulbert hearing.

5. Explain, demonstrate and practice the ACE-V methodology.

6. Accurately compare and identify fingerprints.

7. Describe the most serious error in fingerprint identification work and how to prevent it from ever happening.

 
 
 
 
 
 



 

Course Schedule
 

9:00-12:00  Fingerprint comparison exercises 
8:00-9:00  Review and discussion of previous day’s instructions
                    and review of homework assignments   
8:00-9:00    Review and discussion of previous day’s instructions
     and review of homework assignments
9:00-12:00  Continuation of fingerprint comparison exercises

12:00-1:00  Lunch    

1:00-4:00   Completion of fingerprint comparison exercises and 
     answers to all comparisons

4:00-5:00   Course review and presentation of certificates