Who May Attend: This course is open to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement

Location: The Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center, 5146 Arnold Ave, McClellan, CA 95652

I.A.I. Approved: Course is approved for 40 hours of educational credit towards initial IAI Latent Print certification or recertification and additionally approved for 8 hours of credit towards the Court Room Training requirement.

Certified: California POST Plan IV - Reimbursable

College Credit: 2 Units through American River College, Sacramento, CA

Cost: $127.00

To Register: Contact the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center, Sacramento, CA, phone number (916) 570-5000.

Course Flyer:

Course Description: This five-day course is designed for law enforcement professionals who desire to learn how to compare and identify latent / fragmentary prints to inked fingerprint and palm print impressions. Others who may consider this course would be AFIS and Ten-Print Technicians and those preparing to become I.A.I. Certified Latent Print Examiners. The course will consist of lecture, demonstrations, and extensive hands-on practical comparison exercises. The student will be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge in regards to…

• Explain the basis for the science of identification by friction ridge impressions and its historical background.
• The embryonic development and characteristics of friction ridge skin.
• Familiarization with the various friction ridge formations and ridge flows found on the fingers, thumbs, and palmer surface of the hand.
• The ability to analyze and use the ridge flows and creases on the palmer surface of the hand to help locate and orient fragmentary friction ridge impressions for comparison to known impressions.
• Identifying the three phalanges of the fingers and the two phalanges of the thumbs and the phalangeal creases that are commonly observed.
• Verification protocols, note taking, and documentation matters.
• Identifying the three phalanges of the fingers and the two phalanges of the thumbs and the phalangeal creases that are commonly observed
• Verification protocols, note taking, and documentation matters.
• The initial elimination or inclusion of a suspect by fingerprints or palm prints.
• Developing proficiency with the ACE-V Scientific Method to compare and identify partial friction ridge impressions.
• Usefulness of charts to illustrate an identification by friction ridges to a jury.
• Preparing to present expert testimony in a court of law.
• Participate in a roundtable discussion regarding challenging questions asked by defense attorneys and developing possible responses.
• An understanding of what juries want to see & hear from a latent fingerprint expert.
• Develop a list of “qualification questions” and answers to use when testifying as an expert fingerprint witness in the future.
• Preparation to take the I.A.I. Latent Print Examiner Certification test.
• Take legible Complete Friction Ridge Exemplars.

A rigorous pre-test / post-test examination will be conducted during the first and last day of the course. The test will assess the students' learning.

Certificates of completion will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Fingerprint magnifiers will be loaned to the students. The course fee includes a three binder containing copies of reference material, practical exercises, and lecture notes.

Instructor: FBI Special Agent Mike Stapleton, M.A. (Retired)

For more information e-mail Mike Stapleton