CLPEX Chat Board

My agency is currently trying to hire a new Latent Print Examiner Trainee. This is great for our unit which is short staffed. The problem I have is that I am going to be expected to train this person. I have no previous experience in training anyone and we do not have any materials ready or available to help with putting together a training plan.

I am hoping that some of you might be able to point me in the direction of some information that I can use in trying to put a training program together. We have plans for the trainee to attend formal training but I need materials to use in between and over the future to help build up their skills. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Dear FP EXMNR,

An offer has been made via private email to send you some training material. Please respond to that email address. If you do not get that message, please let me know via PM on this website.

Cheers,
Pat

FP EXMNR -

My training with two different laboratories contained the following modules:
1) The history of fingerprint identification
- memorizing the names of those who influenced the process, how they influenced it, historic events such as the first fp identification, and also famous writings published along the way
2) The physiology/biology of friction ridge skin
- learning the different layers of the epidermis (I believe there are 5? It's been a while), learning the entire structure of the epidermis, learning how ridges are formed and that they are rooted in the basal layer, learning about how the size and shape of volar pads and volar pad regression influence pattern types, learning about other influences on friction ridge development (disease, pressures of the womb, etc.)
3) Chemical development techniques (if this person is doing both development and comparison)
- learning all of the different techniques that the laboratory uses, what each technique does and what it reacts with (amino acids, salts, fats, etc.) as well as where to place it in a sequence
4) Comparison
- Start with learning the pattern types, how to place a core and a delta, how to ridge count. Do exercises on this. Move into learning about level 2 and level 3 detail. Then move into suitability, do exercises on that. Finally exercises on actual comparisons, known to known and then latent to known
5) AFIS

Each module contained reading, followed by a written test, followed by practical exercises, and then finally a practical exam. Exercises and tests should be kept in a personnel binder on that particular employee. If you want suggestions on reading materials, I'd use the books that the IAI recommends for the certification test. The modules and subjects above are also based on what the IAI expects a certified examiner to know. If you need copies of exercises, I can see if I still have some.